Britain is dependent on China to meet green targets, new report warns amid fears of forced labour and security risks in solar panels and wind turbines

Britain's Net Zero targets are pushing it towards Chinese technology that is made with forced labour and contains security risks, a report has warned.

A major audit found that China dominates the production of wind turbines and solar panels as well as the components for electric car batteries.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) said there is 'substantial evidence' of state-sponsored forced labour in the 'EV and renewable energy supply chains', as well as dangerous software vulnerabilities in the equipment.

'Climate targets as set will not be met without cooperation with China, and accepting medium-term dependence,' its report stated.

'This means accepting supply chains tainted by forced labour and unfair trade practices.'

It went on: 'The UK's ability to reach its sustainability and climate targets are dependent on China, at least in the medium term.

'While the UK is pursuing domestic initiatives, like net-zero by 2050, renewable energy expansion, and green finance, its success is also tied to global supply chains, international diplomacy, and technological cooperation, where China plays a central role.'

The report set out how China has a 'near monopoly' in polysilicon - the material used to make solar panels - and also makes three-fifths of all wind turbine blades as well as controlling the market in rare earth minerals that underpin green technology.

Combined with forced labour and the huge scale of China's industrial complex, it can significantly undercut rivals elsewhere - with its wind turbines up to 40 per cent cheaper than Europe's.

In addition, vulnerabilities such as 'unpatched software flaws' in the tech 'present risks to UK energy security'.

Britain's dependence on China for in-demand components also means that clean power projects are at risk of being delayed.

If Chinese magnet supply were disrupted it would 'halt offshore wind development within months', the report said.

At a launch event, IPAC members pointed out that the UK Government last year blocked a plan by Chinese company Ming Yang to open a huge wind turbine manufacturing plant in Scotland on national security grounds. 

Under pressure from Lord Alton, Labour ministers also agreed to add to legislation a requirement that GB Energy would not use solar panels linked to slave labour.

IPAC chairman Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'We need to understand whether we see China as a threat or not. 

'If we see China as a threat, it means we have to approach what we buy or arrange from China on a basis that either we can control that threat or we do not do it.'