Former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore MP has urged the public and British businesses to disclose the best routes to achieving net zero and decarbonisation as part of the MP’s independent net zero review.
The rapid three-month review was launched earlier this week by the Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg to review the government’s approach in delivering its net zero by 2050 target.
The independent review will highlight areas to improve and could optimise the UK’s approach to reaching net zero and lowering carbon emissions. It will also seek to ensure a just transition is achieved in all corners of the UK, making sure no one is left behind or excluded.
One of the crucial aspects is consultation with the general public and British businesses to evaluate some of the best methods in decarbonisation. Skidmore will reveal at Business Green’s ‘Net Zero Festival’ in London later today, a broad month-long call for evidence aimed at the public, businesses and local authorities, giving them a chance to share their views on the green transition.
According to the Government, people will have the chance to offer their views on a range of topics, on everything from how cutting people’s carbon footprint will affect their everyday lives, to how reaching net zero will be paid for and what more can be done to capitalise on it to grow the UK’s economy.
“Everyone in the country has a stake in the UK’s transition to net zero. It doesn’t matter if you live in Argyle or Aberystwyth, Carlyle or Canterbury, our lives will need to change, whether that means the way we travel to work, heat our homes or run our factories,” said Skidmore.
“The decisions and actions we take today will impact consumers, employees and businesses alike, in cities, town and rural communities all over the country. That’s why I want to hear the views of as many people as possible over the next month.
“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 – and a win-win for Britain and the world.”
Skidmore will examine the most pro-business, pro-growth and economically efficient path to reaching net zero and how to maximise the economic opportunities that the journey to net zero can present. Running alongside this, the independent review will seek to optimise innovation, investment, exports and jobs whilst identifying the economic costs and benefits associated with new and emerging policies and technologies.
The consultation with the general public is phase one of this review.
By the end of 2022, Skidmore will return with a set of recommendations that can help support the UK in its goal of maximising the benefits of the energy transition and journey towards net zero emissions.
The renewables sector received a boost last week with when Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled the UK Government’s prospective Growth Plan, aiming to reduce the cost of energy bills, at an expected cost of £31 billion over its first six months.
One of the primary inclusions, which has seen a positive response from the energy industry, is the return of support incentives for the development of onshore wind – one of the cleanest and cheapest methods of generating green energy.
This could grant a much-needed boost to the UK decarbonisation and net zero targets.