ANDY BURNHAM has insisted he was “determined” to reach net zero by 2050 as he announced nearly £30 million for community-led renewable energy projects.

The Prime Minister’s pledge came after an influential group of MPs recommended the phrase “net zero” should be scrapped by the government as it has become toxic to the public.

Mr Burnham said he was “acutely aware” of Britons’ concern about climate change after a summer of record heat.

“The climate crisis is not a distant threat. It is here and with us now,” the Prime Minister wrote in an op-ed in the Guardian.

He said the country would need to adapt to the crisis by changing “the way we travel, build homes and produce energy.”

“I have long seen the green transition as the best chance we will ever have to reindustrialise Britain.”

The funding for “People’s Power projects” would allow communities to build and control their own clean energy supply, he said, arguing that “the only lasting way to bring down bills is to produce more of our own clean, renewable energy at home.”

He also wrote: “I am determined that we meet the commitment on which Labour was elected and reach net zero by 2050.

“I want Britain to believe in itself again.”

It appears to mark Mr Burnham’s strongest intervention on the issue after opponents accused him of reacting slowly to the summer’s extreme heat, droughts and wildfires.

Greenpeace UK’s head of politics Ami McCarthy said: “The Prime Minister is right, Britain should feel determined to reach net zero by 2050 and the green transition is the rocket that will propel us there.

“Comments from politicians casting doubt on climate science and urging us to ‘drill baby drill’ are reckless and irresponsible.

“After a summer of record heat and terrifying wildfires, most people in Britain understand that climate change is a threat we need to prepare for — not downplay or ignore.

“Today’s support for community renewables, and the promise of more to come, is very welcome.”

The premier also faces pressure from both sides over looming decisions on whether to approve the controversial Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields.

Climate campaigners are urging him to block the proposed new developments in the North Sea, while the oil and gas industry and opposition politicians have argued they would create thousands of jobs and cut bills.