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CCC report makes for ‘very sober reading’ - REA say
that there are ‘gaps in policy, inconsistent support and missed
opportunities’;
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Delayed Heat and Buildings Strategy, Green Homes Grant
closure and VAT on clean technology installations all cited as
problem areas;
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Government must match rhetoric with action to achieve
net zero.
The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA)
have responded the Climate Change Committee’s 2021 Progress
Report to Parliament.
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of the REA, said that the report makes
for ‘very sober reading’, adding that gaps in policy,
inconsistent support and missed opportunities are undermining the
government’s net zero ambitions.
The REA say that the delays to the publication of the Heat and
Buildings Strategy coupled with the closure of the Non-Domestic
RHI have left a policy vacuum around heat decarbonisation. In
addition, the controversial closure of the Green Homes Grant
impacted confidence in the sector after a challenging year.
The UK’s largest trade association has also reiterated its
demands for the lowering of VAT on clean technology installations
from 20%, pointing to the fact that fossil fuel supplies continue
to be set at 5%.
Dr Skorupska said that the government must start matching their
rhetoric with action if the UK is to achieve net zero.
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association
for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:
“The Climate Change Committee’s Progress report makes for
very sober reading. At the REA we recognise and share the
frustrations that the report outlines. In too many areas there
are gaps in policy, inconsistent support and missed
opportunities.
“Take the Heat and Buildings Strategy, for example. This was
meant to be a landmark document which would set the agenda for
heat decarbonisation over the next decade. It was meant to be
published last year, but we are still waiting. Coupled with the
closure of the Non-Domestic RHI in March, this significant delay
has left a policy vacuum for our sector.
“In addition, the Green Homes Grant debacle really knocked
industry confidence after a challenging year, and we are
disappointed that our pleas for a VAT reduction on domestic clean
technologies – in particular, domestic energy storage – have
fallen on deaf ears. Warm words on net zero ambitions do not
stack up when clean technologies installations are subject to 20%
VAT and fossil fuel supplies continue to be set at just 5%.
“If the UK government is to meet its very welcome ambitions
on net zero, there needs to be consistent, robust and long-term
policy frameworks in place. There needs to be confidence that the
government will abide by its commitments and they need to be
proactive and responsive to our industry’s needs. We call on the
government to immediately implement these policy measures and
grab the low hanging fruit on offer to unleash investment and aid
the green recovery.
“As this report demonstrates, the government must urgently
match their rhetoric with action if we are to have any chance of
achieving net zero.”
