The government has launched its review into the delivery of net zero climate commitments, to be led by Chris Skidmore MP.
The review comes a year after the government published its Net Zero Strategy. In June 2022, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published its progress report, with the headline “Current programmes will not deliver Net Zero”. The report pulled out the areas where we are seeing achievement – renewable energy and electric vehicles – as well as those where we aren’t, namely energy efficiency in homes, plus agriculture and land use, and said that it’s clear the areas where we’re doing well are those led by “well designed government policy”.
Scope of net zero review
This new government review aims to identify new ways to deliver the legally binding target by 2050 in a way that is pro-business and pro-growth. The review will examine:
- what the most pro-business, pro-growth and economically efficient path to reaching net zero is
- how to maximise the economic opportunities that the target presents as well as increase innovation, investment, exports and jobs
- what the economic costs and benefits are associated with new and emerging policies and technologies
Chris Skidmore’s review will consider a range of evidence, consulting with consumers, investors, industrial leaders and experts in various fields including energy, land use and transport. He will report to the government with a set of recommendations by the end of 2022.
Chair of the Net Zero Review Chris Skidmore said:
The UK continues to lead the world on tackling climate change, having been the first G7 country to commit in law to net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
This review seeks to ‘double down’ on how we can ensure that our energy transition happens at the same time as maximising the economic opportunity for businesses and households across the country, providing huge opportunities for innovation, investment, exports and jobs. I want to ensure that net zero isn’t just viewed as the right thing to do for our environment- but becomes an essential driver of economic growth.
I’m kicking off a 3-month review today to find the best ways of making this happen – speaking to as many people in as many sectors and regions as possible, to ensure the review generates fresh policy ideas that can ensure we deliver a ‘big bang’ moment for net zero.
Secretary of State for Business and Energy, Jacob Rees Mogg, said:
The government remains committed to reaching our net zero emissions targets, but with Russia weaponising energy across Europe we must make sure we do so in a way that increases energy security and does not place undue burdens on businesses or consumers.
Chris Skidmore’s rapid review will help us identify how best to make that happen, while also ensuring all parts of the UK reap the economic benefits of tackling climate change that I have no doubt will be on offer.
Dan McGrail, Chief Executive at RenewableUK, said:
This review gives us the chance to ensure that the UK makes the most of cheap renewable power to deliver net zero at lowest cost and boost competitiveness across the economy.
Cheap, clean energy is fundamental to growing new high-value technologies, decarbonising the UK’s industrial base and boosting exports.
Whether it’s building up the supply chain for the £175 billion of planned investment in wind energy or developing a globally competitive green hydrogen sector, there are huge opportunities to further grow the UK’s economy as we cut our dependence on fossil fuels.
