The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) today welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s response to its June 2020 Progress Report and its renewed commitment to a greener, fairer and more resilient economic recovery from COVID-19.
The CCC is pleased to see that the Government has made progress in a number of areas since June, including the roll-out of the Green Homes Grant and additional support for offshore wind energy, alongside greater clarity on the Cabinet Committees on Climate Action, whilst continuing to develop plans in other areas.
In particular, the Committee welcomes confirmation that the Government will bring its plans together in an over-arching Net Zero Strategy ahead of the pivotal COP26 climate summit in 2021.
Achieving the Net Zero target requires a transformation across our economy. The CCC is pleased that the UK Government has recognised the scale of change needed, including the role of citizens and the need for an equitable transition. It must now deliver ambitious and effective plans across all the areas outlined in its response.
There are indications of some progress on climate change adaptation, including in flood defence spending and updating the Government’s guidance for policy-makers. However, major gaps remain, including embedding climate resilience in the UK’s COVID-19 recovery plans and the National Infrastructure Strategy and for reinstating adaptation support services for local authorities.
The Committee will provide further advice to Government in December on the sixth carbon budget and in June next year on adaptation.
CCC Chairman, Lord Deben, said:
“We’re starting to see some of the cogs turning across central Government to get the Net Zero transition moving. There has been some progress in the last four months but much of what is promised in this document is just that: a promise. We’re pleased to see plans for a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy before next year’s COP confirmed, and new proposals in the works for hydrogen, industry and biomass. These must deliver alongside ambitious policies required from the Energy White Paper, the Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Environment and Agriculture Bills. There’s clearly more work to do, and we’ll want to see the policies attached to these plans very soon.”
Notes to editors
Topics
