As the planet burns, the ongoing cost-of-living emergency must not become a smokescreen for the move away from net-zero emissions. While the impacts of climate change on communities here and abroad are clear, we are already seeing worrying signs. The NEF is leading the way on how we make a fair transition, ensuring that those organizations and individuals who are best able to pay the costs of achieving net zero do so, while protecting those who cannot afford it. Beyond this, improving people's living standards is vital and it is unacceptable that inequality continues to rise. People pay the price every day, while big businesses profit from the chaos. This will require not only innovative new policies, evidence and analysis, but also informed research and organization to build power around transformation.
This is exactly what NEF will do in 2023 through our three missions: New Social Solutions; Green New Deal; and Democratic Economy. Our National Energy Guarantee has gone mainstream as a cost-effective way of protecting people from energy price shocks while incentivizing wealthy households to consume less. The bill was introduced by Clive Lewis MP as an amendment to the Energy Bill and was supported by the Energy 4 All campaign, which gained 600,000 signatures and changed the political landscape enough to Leave it to a prominent center-right think tank to come up with its own version.
Like wealth, power needs to be redistributed if we are to achieve fundamental change. If people do not participate in the decisions that shape their future, then the parameters of the future are set by those who already have power. NEF is unique among think tanks in that its organizers work on the ground to build the relationships, skills and structures people need to change the balance of power in their communities. In this review, you'll learn how our incredible team of organizers are helping people in the worst stages of the cost of living crisis fight for and immediately improve their daily lives, while connecting them with others across the country facing the same issues in solidarity Rise up and fight for systemic change.
This strategy is already bearing fruit. Labor adopted a housing policy to increase social housing and tax overseas investors at its October conference, developed with the grassroots coalition Our Homes. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party also passed the “Our Home” proposal.
In February we launched a groundbreaking project to combine place-based policy and practice with this new organizing model to create a revolutionary approach to transforming local economies. Leading organizations – NEF, the Center for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), Co-ops UK and the Center for Thriving Places – are focusing our combined resources, expertise and interventions on specific places over the long term for the first time. By working with the new coalition government, its directly elected mayors and the communities they serve, we aim to show how to achieve sustainable improvements in wellbeing and provide a template for how to level up.
After five wonderful years, I am sad to say goodbye to NEF. It is a privilege to work with so many passionate and talented people. I would like to say a special thank you to all of NEF's funders and supporters who make everything we have achieved together possible. At least I can rest easy knowing that I'm leaving NEF in Danny's very capable hands, and I look forward to seeing NEF flourish.
Miata Farnbra, CEO
