Starmer announces 'green partnership' with Norway in latest Labour Net Zero push

Carbon capture and storage technology forms a central part of the agreement, building on recent developments in the UK's carbon capture capabilities.

"This will allow us to seize the opportunities from a new era of clean energy, driving investment into the UK and boosting jobs both now and in the future," the Prime Minister said.

Along with the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Starmer will tour a cross-border carbon transport and storage facility north of Bergen.

It comes days after the Government signed the first carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) contracts in the UK. BP, and Norwegian company Equinor are playing a major role in the first projects, called the Northern Endurance Partnership and the Net Zero Teesside.

The Government believes this will bring thousands of skilled jobs to the region, and that Net Zero Teesside will provide up to 1 million homes with clean power from 2028.

Back in October, Energy & Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband announced £21 billion of funding for carbon capture projects over the coming years as part of the government’s drive to make Britain’s electricity net zero by 2030.

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The Government has revised its clean energy target to 95 per cent by 2030, marking a significant shift in its environmental ambitions.

It comes as the UK grapples with implementing ambitious environmental policies while facing practical limitations in transitioning to clean energy sources.

Despite carbon capture projects at scale being incredibly difficult and costly, Norway is the world leader in the technology and the Prime Minister sees green technology as a key driver of the growth and jobs.

Labour believes the transition of net zero is a huge opportunity, as well as undoubtedly a challenge. Although Labour have made their central mission “growth”, the economy contracted by 0.1 per in October, and the forecasts following the Budget predict growth will be "lacklustre".

Last week Ed Miliband extolled the virtues of wind farms and today the PM will deliver a similar positive message.

Despite the UK having one of the highest electricity prices in Europe, the PM has stressed that it’s also about energy security, so that "we are never again exposed to international energy price spikes and the whims of dictators like Putin."

Putin and defence will be top of the agenda as the PM flies to Estonia later in the day with the Norwegian Prime Minister for the Joint Expeditionery Force Summit.