The MISSION ZERO – Independent Review of Net Zero report makes 129 recommendations to the Government, and focuses on identifying how to create a ‘big bang’ moment for net zero and enable the opportunities that net zero presents for the whole of the UK.
Amongst other points, on energy efficiency the review recognises that further regulatory reform and increased advice can help grow energy efficiency market and that energy efficiency direct funding is required for both SMEs and large companies, or those in large buildings or for projects that are innovative in the short term. The Government should also use the existing Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) to increase uptake of energy efficiency measures using powers, including extending coverage and requiring firms to take up recommendations.
The main recommendations to the government in the Review are as follows:
1) Using infrastructure to unlock net zero
- accelerating the implementation of the British Energy Security Strategy to update the mandate of Ofgem, creating the Future System Operator and accelerating the connection of cheaper renewables such as solar and onshore wind
- developing a cross-sectoral infrastructure strategy by 2025 supporting the building and adaptation of infrastructure for electricity, hydrogen, other liquid and gaseous fuels and CO2 networks that support the green economy
- reforming our approach to planning, so that where locally supported, more solar and onshore wind can be developed more easily, helping communities reap the benefits of cheaper low-carbon electricity
2) Creating sustainable governance structures for net zero
- developing an over-arching government financing strategy by the end of 2023
- establishing an Office for Net Zero Delivery, responsible for placing net zero delivery at the heart of government thinking
3) Backing businesses to go green
- reviewing incentives for investment in decarbonisation, including via the tax system and capital allowances, and protecting British industries from environmental undercutting by progressing plans on carbon leakage measures and providing more detail on the UK’s new Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
- building skills needed for the transition by driving forward the Green Jobs Taskforce recommendations and launching a ‘Help to Grow Green’ campaign, offering information and support to SMEs to plan and invest in the transition
4) Catalysing local action
- reforming the planning system at local and national level to place net zero at its heart
- back at least one Trailblazer Net Zero City, local authority and community, with the aim for these places to reach net zero by 2030
5) Increasing transparency and engaging people
- expanding the government’s public reporting on net zero
- ramping up public information through a new engagement plan, a new carbon calculator on the carbon cost of choices, and a standardised approach to ecolabelling on products
- developing a Net Zero Charter mark, acknowledging ‘best in class’ among firms for their work in reaching net zero
6) Delivering cleaner, cheaper, greener homes
- legislating for the Future Homes Standard, meaning no new homes will be built with a gas boiler from 2025, and for all homes sold to be EPC C by 2033
- adopting a 10-year mission to make heat pumps a widespread technology in the UK and legislate for the end of new and replacement gas boilers by 2033 at the latest
- reforming EPC ratings to create a clearer, more accessible Net Zero Performance Certificate (NZPC) for households
7) Capitalising on international leadership
- conducting a strategic review on the UK’s international climate leadership and introduce environmental and climate protections in future free trade agreements, removing trade barriers to environmental goods and services
8) Setting ourselves up for 2050 and beyond
- ramping up investment in research and development (R&D), with a new net zero R&D and technologies roadmap up to 2050, supporting up to 3 10-year demonstrator projects
The Review is split into 2 parts, with the first part exploring the opportunity, and benefits to individuals and the economy, emphasising that the UK must go further and faster to realise economic benefits. The second part sets out a roadmap for how government and industry can work to better exploit the opportunities and catalyse action in individual sectors of the economy, enhancing the role of local authorities, communities, and the individual to deliver the green transition.