Net Zero backlash as campaigners warn slave labour must not be used to produce green technology
An overwhelming majority of people (83 per cent) say the Government must ensure that all products and materials bought for net zero projects are ethically sourced.
By CLAIRE ELLICOTT
Published: 23:14 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 00:43 GMT, 2 January 2026
Net Zero goals should be pushed back to ensure slave labour is not used in making green technology, the public has said.
With Ed Miliband poised to splurge billions of pounds on solar power, batteries and heat pumps in a scramble to meet Labour's pledge to cut energy bills, polling shows nearly eight in ten would rather the UK delay reaching Net Zero than buy solar panels or wind turbines from countries that use forced or child labour to make them.
And an overwhelming majority of people (83 per cent) say the Government must ensure that all products and materials bought for net zero projects are ethically sourced.
The Energy Secretary is expected to set out proposals next month to allocate up to £13billion over the next four years as part of the Government's warm homes plan.
A shift in policy will see billions of pounds invested in household grants for installing solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.
The Government will also lift restrictions on 'plug-in' solar panels that can be installed on balconies, patios or flat roofs.
These could be made available in the middle aisle of supermarkets.
But campaigners have warned that it is at present impossible to source green technology that has no slave labour in its supply chain.
Ed Miliband shaking hands with China's vice premier, Ding Xuexiang. Campaigners have warned that it is currently impossible to source green tech without slave labour, with concerns over forced labour in Chinese Uyghur communities
UK's independent anti-slavery commissioner, Eleanor Lyons (pictured), said: 'Britain must stop being the world's dumping ground for goods made with forced labour'
Most of the materials and manufacturing comes from China and concerns have been raised repeatedly about its use of forced labour in Uyghur communities.
The research commissioned by the UK's independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons found widespread concern in the UK about how green tech is made.
'Britain must stop being the world's dumping ground for goods made with forced labour. It's time to draw a hard line and shut our doors to these products,' she said.
'The public is clear: the race to net zero cannot come at the expense of victims of slavery.'
The UK should align with other countries who have import bans and laws to protect their markets from becoming dumping grounds for these products, she added.