MPs have today launched a new inquiry exploring the
Government's long-term plans to decarbonise the UK economy on the
path to net zero by 2050.
The cross-party Environmental Audit Committee will consider the
measures needed to achieve the Seventh Carbon Budget, which
covers the years 2038-2042, and how the costs of delivering it
will filter through to households and businesses.
Carbon budgets, established by the Climate Change Act 2008, cap
the total greenhouse gases the UK can emit over five-year
periods. Six have been set so far; the UK is currently in the
period covered by the fourth carbon budget (2023-2027).
This year the Climate Change Committee published
its latest advice on the
Seventh Carbon Budget, detailing how much emissions need to
reduce by and how this can be supported by technology, behaviour
change and a growing economy.
Meanwhile, the Government is due to publish a revised delivery
plan for the Sixth Carbon Budget by the end of October. The High
Court ruled the previous plan unlawful as it did not provide
enough evidence to demonstrate how the UK would meet emissions
targets.
Questions the Committee will consider through its inquiry
include:
- How the costs of delivering the Seventh Carbon Budget will be
distributed across households, businesses and regions, and what
is needed to ensure fairness, resilience and public support
- How the Government should balance proven technology solutions
such as heat pumps with those still emerging, such as carbon
capture
- How ministers can engage the public in its plans for the next
Carbon Budget and explain the costs of inaction to build
understanding and tackle misconceptions
- What tools Parliament can use to scrutinise the Government's
plans for delivering Carbon Budgets
To read the full terms of reference or submit evidence,
please visit the Committee's
website.
