The Environmental Audit Committee has launched a new inquiry
into net zero government. It
will focus on the sustainability of the Government’s estate and
procurement processes and what action it needs to take to achieve
its net zero emissions target by 2050 or sooner.
MPs will examine how government targets should be set, enforced
and monitored, whether it is leading by example in its own
performance, and whether existing strategies are sufficiently
robust to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote resource
efficiency.
Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee MP said:
“It’s not enough for the Government to talk the talk
on net zero emissions by 2050, it must walk the walk and lower
its own emissions to tackle the climate emergency.
“We’ll be examining how the Government sets and
performs against its own targets, such as ensuring its fleet of
vehicles are ultra-low emissions, reducing waste and water
use.
“Ministers must lead by example in setting out and
delivering policies which can meet their ambitious targets. We
have declared a climate emergency. Now is the time for Ministers
to say how they will tackle it.”
Terms of Reference:
The Committee welcomes written evidence on some, or all, of the
points below by 17.00 on
Thursday 15 August. Submissions should be made using the
Net Zero Government inquiry page.
Achieving a net zero government:
- What must be
done to achieve a net zero government?
- What time
frame is required for government to achieve alignment with net
zero emissions?
- What
challenges might government encounter as part of this process?
How could these be overcome?
- How should net
zero targets be set, monitored and enforced?
- What must
government do to ensure a just transition and decent work as it
moves its estate towards net zero?
Leadership and partnership:
- To what extent
is government “leading by example” in aligning its estate and
operations with net zero emissions?
- What examples
of good practice could government implement to become a net zero
government?
- How should the
government work with the devolved administrations to achieve
common goals across the UK?
- How can the
government report on and reduce its water use?
- How can the
government report on and reduce its carbon footprint?
Is government following its own advice?:
- Are existing
government frameworks ambitious enough to meet the requirements
set out by the Committee on Climate Change?
- What must
government do to achieve its Road to Zero target to make its
entire fleet ultra-low emission by 2030?
- What must be
done to align the new set of Greening Government Commitments with
a net zero government?
- How can the
government’s estate be more climate friendly?
- How should
government drive behaviour change in staff to ensure greener,
healthier workplaces?
Background
The inquiry builds upon work previously carried out in the
Greening Government Commitments inquiry with an increased focus
on net zero emissions. It will examine what the Government must
do to align its own estate and activities with net zero emissions
by 2050 following the introduction of legislation for the UK to
achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
As well as considering whether government is leading by example
in its push for net zero emissions, it will seek to draw lessons
from current best practice for government to implement
itself.
The inquiry will assess performance against a number of existing
frameworks, such as the Road to Zero commitment for government to
“lead the way” in making 100% of its fleet ultra-low emission by
2030. It will also look at priorities for action which can be
incorporated into government’s new set of Greening Government
Commitments, which it is due to publish later this year.
