England

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of England}}

England's economy is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with an average [[GDP per capita]] of £34,690.<ref name="ONS GDP" /> [[HM Treasury]], led by the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], is responsible for developing and executing the government's [[public finance]] policy and [[economic policy]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/bulletins/regionalgrossvalueaddedbalanceduk/1998to2017/pdf |title=Regional economic activity by gross value added (balanced), UK: 1998 to 2017 |last=Fenton |first=Trevor |date=12 December 2018 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |format=PDF}}</ref> Usually regarded as a [[Anglo-Saxon economy|mixed market economy]], it has adopted many [[free market]] principles, yet maintains an advanced social welfare infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Welfare State&nbsp;– Never Ending Reform |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/field_01.shtml |access-date=17 September 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Canary Wharf Wide View 2, London - July 2009-2.jpg|thumb|[[London]] is the financial capital of England and the United Kingdom.]]
The economy of England is the largest part of the [[economy of the United Kingdom|UK's economy]].<ref name="regionalacc">{{Cite web |last=Office for National Statistics |author-link=Office for National Statistics |title=Regional Accounts |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/economy/national-accounts/regional-accounts/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826104410/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/economy/national-accounts/regional-accounts/index.html |archive-date=26 August 2009 |access-date=17 September 2009 |publisher=statistics.gov.uk}}</ref> England is a leader in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularly [[aerospace]], the [[arms industry]], and the [[software industry]]. London, home to the [[London Stock Exchange]], the United Kingdom's main [[stock exchange]] and the largest in Europe, is England's financial centre, with 100 of Europe's 500&nbsp;largest corporations being based there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial Centre |url=http://legacy.london.gov.uk/london-life/business-and-jobs/financial-centre.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713060624/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/london-life/business-and-jobs/financial-centre.jsp |archive-date=13 July 2011 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=London.gov.uk}}</ref> London is the largest financial centre in Europe and as of 2014 is the second largest in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |author-link=City of London Corporation |title=The Global Financial Centres Index |url=http://217.154.230.218/NR/rdonlyres/8D37DAE2-5937-4FC5-A004-C2FC4BED7742/0/BC_RS_GFCI5.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007105828/http://217.154.230.218/NR/rdonlyres/8D37DAE2-5937-4FC5-A004-C2FC4BED7742/0/BC_RS_GFCI5.pdf |archive-date=7 October 2009 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=City of London Policy Resources Committee}}</ref>

London has also been named as the fastest growing technology hub in Europe, with England having over 100 unique tech companies with a value of $1&nbsp;billion or more.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-21 |title=London Has Officially Become the Technology Capital of Europe |url=https://brainstation.io/magazine/london-technology-capital-of-europe-100-unicorns |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=BrainStation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Willems |first=Michiel |date=2021-06-20 |title=Unicorn nest: UK hits milestone of 100 $1bn tech companies, more than rest of Europe combined |url=https://www.cityam.com/unicorn-nest-uk-hits-milestone-of-100-1bn-tech-companies-more-than-rest-of-europe-combined/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=CityAM |language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[Bank of England]], founded in 1694 as private banker to the government of England and a [[nationalisation|state-owned institution]] since 1946, is the United Kingdom's [[central bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bank's relationship with Parliament |url=http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/parliament/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708200732/https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/parliament/index.htm |archive-date=8 July 2009 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=BankofEngland.co.uk}}</ref> The bank has a monopoly on the issue of banknotes in [[England and Wales]], although not in other parts of the UK. The government has devolved responsibility to the bank's [[Monetary Policy Committee (United Kingdom)|Monetary Policy Committee]] for managing the monetary policy of the country and setting interest rates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monetary Policy Committee |url=http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetarypolicy/overview.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708141658/http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetarypolicy/overview.htm |archive-date=8 July 2009 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=BankofEngland.co.uk}}</ref>
[[File:Aston Martin Vantage, Paris Motor Show 2018, IMG 0660.jpg|alt=A grey coloured car.|thumb|[[Aston Martin]] manufacture luxury vehicles in England.]]
England is highly industrialised, but since the 1970s there has been a decline in traditional heavy and manufacturing industries, and an increasing emphasis on a more [[service industry]] oriented economy.<ref name="Thatcher">{{harvnb|Reitan|2003|p=50}}.</ref> Tourism has become a significant industry, attracting millions of visitors to England each year. The export part of the economy is dominated by [[pharmaceuticals]], automotives, [[crude oil]] and petroleum from the English parts of [[North Sea oil]] along with [[Wytch Farm]], [[aircraft engine]]s and alcoholic beverages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=England Exports |url=http://mambiz.com/main/?cat=28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105132032/http://mambiz.com/main/?cat=28 |archive-date=5 January 2012 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=EconomyWatch.com}}</ref> The [[creative industries]] accounted for 7 per cent GVA in 2005 and grew at an average of 6 per cent per annum between 1997 and 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2007 |title=From the Margins to the Mainstream&nbsp;– Government unveils new action plan for the creative industries |url=http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/2132.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204131529/http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/2132.aspx |archive-date=4 December 2008 |access-date=9 March 2015 |publisher=DCMS}}</ref>

Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanised and efficient by European standards, producing 60% of food needs with only 2% of the labour force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Guide&nbsp;– England&nbsp;– Economy Overview |url=http://www.intute.ac.uk/worldguide/html/1069_economic.html |access-date=9 September 2009 |website=World Guide |publisher=Intute}}</ref> Two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, the remainder to arable crops.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Economy of the United Kingdom |url=http://www.pteducation.com/gk/UK.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123055028/http://www.pteducation.com/gk/UK.pdf |archive-date=23 November 2009 |access-date=8 October 2009 |publisher=PTeducation}}</ref> The main crops that are grown are [[wheat]], [[barley]], [[oat]]s, [[potato]]es, and [[sugar beet]]s. England retains a significant fishing industry. Its fleets bring home a variety of fish, ranging from [[Sole (fish)|sole]] to [[herring]]. England is also rich in natural resources including [[coal]], [[petroleum]], [[natural gas]], [[tin]], [[limestone]], [[iron ore]], [[salt]], [[clay]], [[chalk]], [[gypsum]], [[lead]], and silica.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coal {{!}} Mines and quarries {{!}} MineralsUK |url=https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mines/coal/home.html |access-date=7 July 2016 |website=MineralsUK}}</ref>

===Science and technology===
{{Main|List of English inventions and discoveries|Royal Society}}
[[File:GodfreyKneller-IsaacNewton-1689.jpg|thumb|alt=Torso of man with long white hair and dark coloured jacket|Sir [[Isaac Newton]] is one of the most influential figures in the [[history of science]].|232x232px]]

Prominent English figures from the field of science and mathematics include Sir [[Isaac Newton]], [[Charles Darwin]], [[Robert Hooke]], [[Alan Turing]], [[Stephen Hawking]], [[Edward Jenner]], [[Francis Crick]], [[Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister|Joseph Lister]], [[Joseph Priestley]], [[Thomas Young (scientist)|Thomas Young]], [[Christopher Wren]] and [[Richard Dawkins]].

England was a leading centre of the [[Scientific Revolution]] from the 17th century.<ref>Gascoin, J. "A reappraisal of the role of the universities in the Scientific Revolution", in Lindberg, David C. and Westman, Robert S., eds (1990), ''Reappraisals of the Scientific Revolution''. Cambridge University Press. p. 248. {{ISBN|0-521-34804-8}}.</ref> As the birthplace of the [[Industrial Revolution]], England was home to many significant inventors during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Famous English engineers include [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], best known for the creation of the [[Great Western Railway]], a series of famous [[steamship]]s, and numerous important bridges, revolutionising public transport and modern-day engineering.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Spratt |first=H. P. |year=1958 |title=Isambard Kingdom Brunel |journal=Nature |volume=181 |issue=4626 |pages=1754–1755 |bibcode=1958Natur.181.1754S |doi=10.1038/1811754a0 |s2cid=4255226 |doi-access=free}}</ref> [[Thomas Newcomen]]'s [[Newcomen steam engine|steam engine]] helped spawn the Industrial Revolution.<ref>{{harvnb|Oakes|2002|p=214}}</ref>

The Father of Railways, [[George Stephenson]], built the first public inter-city railway line in the world, the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]], which opened in 1830. With his role in the marketing and manufacturing of the steam engine, and invention of modern coinage, [[Matthew Boulton]] (business partner of [[James Watt]]) is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history.<ref>Ronald Shillingford (2010). "The History of the World's Greatest- Entrepreneurs: Biographies of Success". p.&nbsp;64–69</ref> The physician [[Edward Jenner]]'s [[smallpox vaccine]] is said to have "saved more lives&nbsp;... than were lost in all the wars of mankind since the beginning of recorded history."<ref>{{harvnb|Saunders|1982|p=13}}; {{harvnb|White|1885|p=335}}; {{harvnb|Levine|1960|p=183}}</ref>

Inventions and discoveries of the English include the [[jet engine]]; the first industrial [[spinning frame|spinning machine]]; [[Analytical engine|the first computer]] and the first [[Manchester Baby|modern computer]]; the [[World Wide Web]] along with [[HTML]]; the first successful human [[blood transfusion]]; the motorised [[vacuum cleaner]];<ref name="americanheritage">{{Cite web |last=Wohleber |first=Curt |date=Spring 2006 |title=The Vacuum Cleaner |url=http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2006/4/2006_4_4.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313170420/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2006/4/2006_4_4.shtml |archive-date=13 March 2010 |access-date=8 December 2010 |website=Invention & Technology Magazine |publisher=American Heritage Publishing}}</ref> the [[lawn mower]]; the [[seat belt]]; the [[hovercraft]]; the [[electric motor]]; [[steam engine]]s; and theories such as the Darwinian theory of [[evolution]] and [[atomic theory]]. Newton developed the ideas of [[universal gravitation]], [[Newtonian mechanics]], and [[calculus]], and [[Robert Hooke]] his eponymously named [[Hooke's law of elasticity|law of elasticity]]. Other inventions include the iron plate railway, the [[thermosiphon]], [[Tarmacadam|tarmac]], the [[rubber band]], the [[mousetrap]], [[Cat's eye (road)|"cat's eye"]] [[raised pavement marker|road marker]], joint development of the [[light bulb]], steam [[locomotive]]s, the modern [[seed drill]] and many modern techniques and technologies used in [[precision engineering]].<ref name="invent">{{Cite web |title=English Inventors and Inventions |url=http://www.english-crafts.co.uk/history/inventors.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415212829/http://www.english-crafts.co.uk/history/inventors.htm |archive-date=15 April 2010 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=English-Crafts.co.uk}}</ref>

The [[Royal Society]], formally [[The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge]],<ref name="royalsociety.org">{{Cite web |title=The formal title as adopted in the royal charter |url=https://royalsociety.org/~/media/Royal_Society_Content/about-us/history/2012-Supplemental-Charter.pdf |website=royalsociety.org}}</ref> is a [[learned society]] and the [[United Kingdom]]'s national [[academy of sciences]]. Founded on 28 November 1660,<ref name="royalsociety.org" /> It is the oldest national scientific institution in the world.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Royal Society |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Royal-Society |access-date=24 February 2018 |last=Hunter |first=Michael}}</ref> The [[Royal Institution|Royal Institution of Great Britain]] was founded in 1799 by leading English scientists, including [[Henry Cavendish]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Caroe |first=Gwendy |title=The Royal Institution : an informal history |publisher=J. Murray |others=Final chapter by Alban |year=1985 |isbn=0719542456 |location=London}}</ref> Some experts claim that the earliest concept of a [[metric system]] was invented by [[John Wilkins]] in 1668.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2007 |title=Metric system was British |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6890000/newsid_6898200/6898274.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=10 |access-date=5 September 2009}}</ref>

Scientific research and development remains important in the [[universities of England]], with many establishing [[science park]]s to facilitate production and co-operation with industry.<ref>Castells, M.; Hall, P.; Hall, P.G. (2004). ''Technopoles of the World: the Making of Twenty-First-Century Industrial Complexes''. London: Routledge. pp. 98–100. {{ISBN|0-415-10015-1}}.</ref> [[Silicon Fen|Cambridge]] is the most intensive research cluster for science and technology in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=Cambridge remains most intensive science and technological cluster in the world |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/cambridge-remains-most-intensive-science-and-technological-cluster-in-the-world |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the UK produced 6.3 per cent of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5 per cent share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world (after the United States and China).<ref>{{Cite web |title=International comparison of the UK research base, 2022 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078073/international-comparison-uk-research-base-2022-accompanying-note.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305235208/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078073/international-comparison-uk-research-base-2022-accompanying-note.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2023 |access-date=11 March 2023}} (last checked 11 March 2023)</ref> Scientific journals produced in England include ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'', the ''[[BMJ|British Medical Journal]]'' and ''[[The Lancet]]''. The [[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology]], [[Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology]], and [[Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation]] has responsibility for science in England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department for Science, Innovation and Technology |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

===Transport===
{{Main|Transport in England}}

The [[Department for Transport]] is the government body responsible for overseeing transport in England. The department is run by the [[Secretary of State for Transport]].

England has a dense and modern transportation infrastructure. There are many [[List of motorways in the United Kingdom|motorways in England]], and many other trunk roads, such as the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1 Great North Road]], which runs through eastern England from London to Newcastle<ref name="roads">{{harvnb|UK Parliament|2007|p=175}}</ref> (much of this section is motorway) and onward to the Scottish border. The longest motorway in England is the [[M6 motorway|M6]], from [[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]] through the [[North West England|North West]] up to the [[Anglo-Scottish border]], a distance of {{convert|232|mi}}.<ref name="roads" /> Other major routes include: the [[M1 motorway|M1]] from London to Leeds, the [[M25 motorway|M25]] which encircles London, the [[M60 motorway (Great Britain)|M60]] which encircles Manchester, the [[M4 motorway|M4]] from London to South Wales, the [[M62 motorway|M62]] from Liverpool via Manchester to East Yorkshire, and the [[M5 motorway|M5]] from Birmingham to Bristol and the South West.<ref name="roads" />  [[File:St Pancras Railway Station 2012-06-23.jpg|thumb|alt=red stone building with tall clock tower in corner|[[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras International]] is one of London's main domestic and international transport hubs providing both commuter rail and high-speed rail services across the UK and to Paris, [[Lille]] and [[Brussels]].]]Bus transport across the country is widespread; major companies include [[Arriva UK Bus|Arriva]], [[FirstGroup]], [[Go-Ahead Group]], [[Mobico Group]], [[Rotala]] and [[Stagecoach Group]]. [[Bus Rapid Transit]] originated in England with the [[Runcorn]] Busway opening in 1971.<ref name="Runcorn Busway JSTOR">{{Cite journal |last=Lesley |first=Lewis |date=1983 |title=Runcorn - A Rapid Transit New Town? |journal=Built Environment |volume=9 |issue=3/4 |page=234 |jstor=23286723}}</ref><ref name="RUDI 7.3 Transport">{{Cite web |title=Runcorn New Town - 7.3 Transport |url=http://www.rudi.net/books/3346 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018012240/http://www.rudi.net/books/3346 |archive-date=18 October 2014 |access-date=24 July 2020 |website=rudi.net}}</ref> The red [[double-decker bus]]es in London have become a symbol of England. [[National Cycle Route]] offers cycling routes nationally.

[[Rail transport in Great Britain|Rail transport in England]] is the oldest in the world: passenger railways originated in England in 1825.<ref>{{Cite web |title=27 September 1825&nbsp;– Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway |url=http://www.moorerail.com/history/timeline1825.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007035746/http://www.moorerail.com/history/timeline1825.asp |archive-date=7 October 2013 |access-date=5 October 2013 |publisher=The Stockton and Darlington Railway}}</ref> Much of Britain's {{convert|10000|mi}} of rail network lies in England, covering the country fairly extensively. There is rail transport access to France and Belgium through an undersea rail link, the [[Channel Tunnel]], which was completed in 1994.

[[Great British Railways]] is a planned state-owned public body that will oversee [[rail transport in Great Britain]] from 2024. The [[Office of Rail and Road]] is responsible for the economic and safety regulation of England's railways.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home page {{!}} Office of Rail and Road |url=https://www.orr.gov.uk/home |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20200828151253mp_/https://www.orr.gov.uk/home |archive-date=28 August 2020 |access-date=2021-05-21 |website=www.orr.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> [[Crossrail]] was Europe's largest construction project with a £15&nbsp;billion projected cost, opened in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 2012 |title=Crossrail's giant tunnelling machines unveiled |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16289051}}</ref> [[High Speed 2]], a new high-speed north–south railway line, is under construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2020 |title=HS2: When will the line open and how much will it cost? |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16473296 |access-date=5 September 2020}}</ref>

There is a [[rapid transit]] network in two English cities: the [[London Underground]], and the [[Tyne and Wear Metro]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Gateshead]] and [[Sunderland]].<ref name="pubwhite">{{harvnb|White|2002|p=63}}.</ref> There are several extensive tram networks, such as the [[Manchester Metrolink]], [[Sheffield Supertram]], [[West Midlands Metro]], [[Nottingham Express Transit]], and [[Tramlink]] in South London.<ref name="pubwhite" /> England also has extensive domestic and international aviation links. The largest airport is [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]], which is the [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|world's second busiest airport measured by number of international passengers]].<ref name="wsj230211">{{Cite news |date=23 February 2011 |title=Delta Expects New Slots To Foster Growth At Heathrow Airport |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110223-710213.html |url-status=dead |access-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513074109/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110223-710213.html |archive-date=13 May 2011}}</ref>

By sea there is ferry transport, both local and international, including from Liverpool to Ireland and the Isle of Man, and Hull to the Netherlands and Belgium.<ref name="waterworks">{{harvnb|Else|2007|p=781}}.</ref> There are around {{convert|4400|mi}} of navigable waterways in England, half of which is owned by the [[Canal & River Trust]],<ref name="waterworks" /> however, water transport is very limited. The [[River Thames]] is the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at the [[Port of Tilbury]] in the [[Thames Estuary]], one of the United Kingdom's three major ports.<ref name="waterworks" />

===Energy===
{{main|Energy in the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Den_Brook_Wind_Farm_from_Main_Road.jpg|thumb|Wind turbines at [[Den Brook Wind Farm|Den Brook]], Devon. The UK is [[Wind power in the United Kingdom|one of the best sites in Europe for wind energy]], and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=BBC – Weather Centre – Climate Change – Wind Power |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/adaptation/wind_power.shtml |access-date=9 June 2015 |website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="Roadmap" />|left]]

Successive governments have outlined numerous commitments to reduce [[carbon dioxide]] emissions. Notably, the UK is [[Wind power in the United Kingdom|one of the best sites in Europe for wind energy]], and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.<ref name="Roadmap">{{Cite web |title=UK Renewable Energy Roadmap Crown copyright, July 2011 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48128/2167-uk-renewable-energy-roadmap.pdf}}; {{Cite web|url=http://www.renewableuk.com/en/news/renewableuk-news.cfm/electricity-needs-of-more-than-a-quarter-of-uk-homes-powered-by-wind-in-2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509191928/http://www.renewableuk.com/en/news/renewableuk-news.cfm/electricity-needs-of-more-than-a-quarter-of-uk-homes-powered-by-wind-in-2014|url-status=dead|title=RenewableUK News website article|archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> Wind power contributed 26.8% of UK electricity generation in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2023 |title=Britain produced record amount of wind power in 2022, National Grid says |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/britain-produced-record-amount-wind-power-2022-national-grid-2023-01-06/ |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref> England is home to [[Hornsea Wind Farm|Hornsea 2]], the largest offshore wind farm in the world, situated in waters roughly 89 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2022 |title=The world's biggest offshore wind farm is now fully operational |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/01/huge-offshore-wind-farm-hornsea-2-is-fully-operational-orsted-says.html |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Climate Change Act 2008]] was passed in Parliament with an overwhelming majority across political parties. It sets out emission reduction targets that the UK must comply with legally. It represents the first global legally binding climate change mitigation target set by a country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the 2008 Climate Change Act? |url=https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-is-the-2008-climate-change-act/ |access-date=1 April 2021 |website=Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Energy policy of the United Kingdom|UK government energy policy]] aims to play a key role in limiting [[greenhouse gas emissions]], while meeting energy demand. Shifting availabilities of resources and development of technologies also change the country's [[energy mix]] through changes in costs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Proctor |first=Darrell |date=24 November 2020 |title=UK Undergoing "Remarkable Shift" in Power Generation |url=https://www.powermag.com/uk-undergoing-remarkable-shift-in-power-generation/ |access-date=11 April 2021 |website=POWER Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

The current energy policy is the responsibility of the [[Department for Energy Security and Net Zero]] and [[Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department for Energy Security & Net Zero – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-zero |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> The [[Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth]] is responsible for green finance, climate science and innovation, and low carbon generation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minister of State (Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth) – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state--75#responsibilities |access-date=2020-10-24 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the United Kingdom was ranked 2 out of 180 countries in the [[Environmental Performance Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 EPI Results |url=https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2020/component/epi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621233539/https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2022/component/epi |archive-date=21 June 2023 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=[[Environmental Performance Index]]}}</ref> A law has been passed that [[Greenhouse gas emissions|UK greenhouse gas emissions]] will be [[net zero]] by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2020 |title=UK net zero target |url=https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/net-zero-target#:~:text=In%20June%202019%2C%20parliament%20passed,to%201990%20levels%20by%202050.&text=Prior%20to%20this%2C%20the%20UK,1990%20levels%2C%20also%20by%202050. |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Institute for Government}}</ref>