Reacting to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 report to
Parliament on progress in reducing emissions, Environmental Audit
Committee Chairman, Rt Hon MP, said:
“The CCC’s latest report makes for concerning reading and should
serve as a wake-up call to Ministers. While the Government has
indicated the ‘what’ it intends to deliver, there remain gaps in
the ‘how’ to achieve through policy levers, leaving stakeholders
at a loss to judge whether the UK is properly on track to meet
its net zero commitments. This risks not creating sufficient
confidence for investors looking to support the net zero
transition in the UK: the current demand signals to investors
lack clarity and consistency.
“Snappy, soundbite intent of ‘installing 600,000 heat pumps
annually’, or ‘planting 30,000 hectares of trees a year’ sound
impressive, but the detail on delivery and progress remains
lacking. The CCC has pointed out these initiatives, which the
Committee has also examined, are far from being on track to meet
the net zero targets set for this decade let alone for the
next decades on the path to net zero by 2050.
“Quick wins ranging from allowing more onshore wind and solar,
reviewing planning rules around grid development, insulating
homes and clear policy to create the green jobs of the future are
just a few initiatives that can deliver real, tangible benefits.
Our Committee has been advocating these measures throughout this
Parliament, backed up by clear and consistent evidence from a
range of experts.
“The CCC has indicated clearly what policy initiatives are
required to get Ministers to where they need to be to achieve Net
Zero Britain. Unless ambitious policy direction is given now, the
Government risks the unravelling of the last few years of climate
leadership, which was spurred on by the UK’s hosting of COP26 in
Glasgow and its landmark agreements.
“Polling has consistently shown that climate change is one of the
biggest concerns facing adults in Britain: the Government must
listen and grasp the significant challenge ahead.
“The Committee looks forward to discussing this important report
with the Climate Change Committee before the summer recess.”
