Responding to the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Annual Progress Report 2022 recommendations

Question 1

Action in the devolved administrations

Accepted Answer

Scotland

Met their 2020 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction target
Published the 2nd Annual Monitoring Report on our current Climate Change Plan^{[footnote 1]}

The latest Scottish GHG emissions data (including international aviation and shipping), shows that emissions have fallen by 58.7% between 1990 and 2020, exceeding the 2020 target of 56%, however some of the fall was due to COVID response measures. In May 2022 their progress report on implementation of the Climate Change Plan update was published and out of the 44 indicators across 7 sectors, excluding negative emissions technologies, 27 indicators were on track and 10 were too early to say.

In the last year, Scottish Government (SG) has laid out the following additional plans to drive delivery:

the Heat in Buildings Strategy^{[footnote 2]} (October 2021) sets out their vision and the actions they are taking in the buildings sector. Resource spend has increased to deliver the strategy by up to £75 million per year, directly supporting £1.8 billion of overall public investment
a route map to reducing car kilometres travelled by 20% by 2030 (January 2022), a world leading commitment^{[footnote 3]} aiming to support people to live healthier, fairer and more sustainable lives by choosing alternatives ways of accessing goods, services, amenities and social connections
the ScotWind4 leasing round and clearing process awarded a total of 20 projects for a total of 27.6GW and option fees for around £756 million
the Fuel Poverty Strategy^{[footnote 4]} (December 2021), sets out policies and proposals for national government, local authorities and third sector partners to help us collectively make progress towards meeting the targets set out in the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019
the Vision for Agriculture^{[footnote 5]} (March 2022) and the National Test Programme^{[footnote 6]}, aim to transform agriculture, ensuring Scotland become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. That vision began in Spring 2022 with up to £51 million funding. A consultation on a new Agriculture Bill^{[footnote 7]} was published on 29 August 2022
the following consultations: the Circular Economy Bill^{[footnote 8]}, the Waste Route Map^{[footnote 9]} with proposals supporting Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy, and Land Reform Bill in a Net Zero Nation^{[footnote 10]}
the Scottish Government has prepared a climate funding map^{[footnote 11]} available to the public sector
published the revised draft National Planning Framework 4^{[footnote 12]}, the Joint Budget Review^{[footnote 13]}, the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan^{[footnote 14]} and the Biodiversity Strategy^{[footnote 15]};
ran Scottish Climate week 2022, an annual event raising awareness of the global climate emergency and encouraging climate action across the country

Milestones for next 12 months:

in May 2023, publish the 3rd Annual Monitoring Report and in June 2023 Scotland’s performance on the annual emissions reduction target for 2021 will be known
the Scottish Government is aiming to lay a draft of the next full Climate Change Plan by November 2023, setting out their emissions reduction policies to reach Scotland’s statutory targets up to 2040

Wales

Published Net Zero Wales
Met the first Carbon budget and published the first Statement of Progress
Held COP Cymru a weeklong programme of virtual events looking at the climate action being taken across Wales

In December 2022, Welsh Government published its first final Statement of Progress for the first carbon budgetary period covering 2016 to 2020. The statement sets out the steps taken to calculate the Net Welsh Emissions Account for the first carbon budget (CB1) and interim target. It shows that Welsh Government has met both the first carbon budget and interim target. The statement also shows delivery progress in relation to Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales (also known as the first Low Carbon Delivery Plan (LCDP1)) with a supporting Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system, providing an insight into how the policies set out in the Plan have contributed to meeting the targets and budgets. The statement also sets out the Welsh Governments first legislative assessment of consumption emissions in Wales.

The Welsh Government is now focussing on delivery of Net Zero Wales, which cover the second carbon budget. (Carbon budget 2, 2021-2025). The plan sets out 123 policies and proposals from government alongside the commitments and action needed from business, communities and the UK government. The government’s delivery focus has included publishing a 10-year Wales Infrastructure Investment Strategy to support a zero carbon economy alongside the draft budget, showing how it is aligning investments to support net zero. To increase uptake in cycling, £1 million has been provided to trial electric bike loan schemes, providing bikes on medium-term loan to residents at no cost and investing £50 million in cycling routes and new cycling facilities. Active travel maps have been approved for nearly all local authorities in Wales. It is also investing in the future of renewable energy to move away from the use of fossil fuels for energy production by providing £31 million to the Morlais project, a major tidal energy scheme off Anglesey. Almost £2.35 million has been provided for the expansion of community owned renewable energy. It launched My Tree, Our Forest, offering every household in Wales a free tree. Three commemorative woodland sites have been announced to remember those who died during the pandemic, and the Woodland Investment Grant launched as part of ambitious plans for a National Forest in Wales.

In 2022, Welsh Government has also laid out the following additional plans to drive delivery:

it published Working Together to Reach Net Zero, which recognises and showcases the all-Wales approach to tackling climate change with pledges and case studies from every corner of the country. Delivery is already underway and a revised stakeholder engagement plan was launched in June 2022
it published a Draft Strategy for Engaging the General Public in action on climate change
the first Welsh Public Sector Net Zero: Baseline and Recommendations Report, was published in June 2022. It estimates the full range of GHG emissions both direct and induced by the public sector in delivering services for the people of Wales
it launched a Call for Evidence around a Just Transition
established Net Zero Industry Wales to support decarbonisation of Welsh industry

Milestones for next 12 months:

By the end of 2023, Welsh Government will:

publish its Net Zero Skills Action Plan
deliver the Clean Air Wales Plan and the Clean Air Bill is planned to be introduced into the Senedd in March 2023
consult on a Review of Wales’ renewable energy targets
the Agriculture Bill will provide Welsh Government with the powers to introduce a new system of farm support. The Bill has been introduced to the Senedd and is currently moving through scrutiny. An outline of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme was published in July 2022 and a further process of co-design is currently concluding. Further info under the Sustainable Farming Scheme guidance

Northern Ireland

Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 received Royal Assent on 6 June 2022
Published Path to Net Zero Energy Strategy December 2021 and Action Plan January 2022
Published Skills Strategy March 2022
Funding in place for 900 hectares per year (ha/yr) of afforestation through Forests for Our Future to 2025

The Northern Ireland Assembly passed the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, committing the region to net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The draft ‘Green Growth Strategy’, which will help deliver this, is awaiting sign off by the NI Executive following public consultation. Work is progressing on the delivery of the ‘Path to Net Zero Energy Strategy’ and the 22 points included within the Action Plan, including a £10 million green innovation fund (with £4.5 million being made available during 2023), a hydrogen centre of excellence and a one-stop shop for energy advice. Funding is in place under the Green Growth Capital Investment Programme to deliver 900 ha/yr of afforestation through the Forests for Our Future programme by 2025. Funding sources will be required to meet the increased requirements of 1400 ha/yr by 2029, 1800 ha/yr by 2034 and 2200 ha/yr by 2038. A Phase 1 uplift for building standards for new builds took effect from June 2022. Stage 2 evidence gathering discussion on the feasibility of early introduction of requirements based on low carbon heating is progressing, with potential for a stage 3 uplift in 2023.

In the last year, the Northern Ireland Assembly has laid out the following additional plans to drive delivery:

the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 set new 2030 targets including: 80% renewable electricity consumption by 2030 and a recycling target of 70% of waste by 2030. Work is progressing to achieve these
as part of the agricultural policy programmes, the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme is being rolled out in stages over a 4-year period commencing 2022. It will deliver up to £45 million in funding to baseline soil nutrient levels and estimate farm carbon stocks.
New policies on Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Hybrid Working and Scoring Social Value for Public Procurement were implemented in June 2022 as well as a new collaborative contract for metered electricity sourced from 100% renewables across the government estate in April 2022
the Housing Executive’s Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022 to 2027) sets out their strategic approach to balancing their responsibility to provide quality, affordable housing and improving on our social and environmental impact. The strategy is guided by current policy and is built on the principles of sustainable development. It provides a framework for tackling environmental and social challenges over the next 5 years, including responding to the climate emergency

Milestones for next 12 months:

set the first 3 carbon budgets for NI by the end of 2023 through regulations
develop Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan by December 2023
progress the development of regulations to establish a Just Transition Commission
progress public body climate change reporting regulations (in operation by Dec 2023)
the draft Circular Economy Strategy for Northern Ireland was launched for public consultation on 9 January 2023 and runs for 10 weeks up to 20 March 2023. It is expected that the strategy will be finalised by September 2023 (subject to Ministerial & Executive approval)
publish NI Peatland Strategy and associated Action Plan during 2023 (subject to Ministerial approval)
implement Energy policy on Injection of methane into the gas grid, during 2023

Question 2

Recommendations 1 to 19

Accepted Answer

Response

On 29 July 2022, the government launched a new digital service ‘find ways to save energy in your home’ on GOV.UK. The service provides impartial and tailored recommendations to consumers on how to improve their home energy efficiency and measures they can install to make their homes greener. The service has links to existing government retrofit schemes and installers. We are launching a national phoneline service shortly to support those consumers that need more targeted help or who are digitally excluded. In addition, this year we will be launching regionalised pilots for in-person energy advice specific to the local areas.

Question 3

Recommendations 20 to 39

The ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’ sets out our plan to decarbonise buildings and commits to considering different climate scenarios when developing future policies, to future-proof them. It set out the principle of taking a ‘whole-building’ and whole-system approach, considering the interventions most appropriate for the whole building, as well as local and regional suitability, and how best to manage system-level impacts.

The UK has a highly resilient electricity network. Industry works to continuously minimise and plan for the risk of unexpected outages. The National Grid Electricity System Operator has the tools needed to operate the electricity system reliably both now and in the future. We remain confident that electricity security can be maintained under a wide range of scenarios. Government regularly reviews risks and plans for these events to ensure appropriate risk action.

Recommendation 30

Recommendation

For the coming 5-year period (2023 to 2028), BEIS should outline appropriate actions in the next National Adaptation Programme to address the adaptation gap identified for the other risks and opportunities in the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment for which it is the lead department (see 2021 Adaptation Progress Report annex).

Response

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these. In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement. Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 39

Recommendation

Ensure that public bodies with a role in delivering Net Zero have a clear duty to facilitate this and work together. This should apply, for example, to Ofgem and the new Future System Operator.

Response

Public bodies have an important role to play in the transition to net zero, and there are examples where we have given such bodies clear duties. Ofgem has a statutory duty to protect consumers’ interests in the reduction of greenhouse gases, and government will give a further steer to Ofgem to focus on delivering net zero in the upcoming Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS), which we will consult on this Spring. We have also committed to proceed with the expert, impartial Future System Operator, who will have a legal duty to facilitate net zero while maintaining security of supply, and an efficient, coordinated and economical system. Another public body with a clear duty to facilitate the net zero transition is the North Sea Transition Authority, who have renewed their Strategy to integrate net zero and also included net zero as a key theme in benchmarking to drive performance improvement.

Question 4

Recommendations 40 to 59

Accepted Answer

But we need to go further which is why government is committing to publishing a joint government-industry Net Zero and Nature Workforce Action Plan in the first half of 2024, representing the culmination of several sectoral assessments in the coming 12 months. We have published head start actions for a joint government-industry Net Zero Power and Networks Workforce Action Plan. We are beginning the process of developing dedicated assessments for other sectors. Further detail is coming later in the Spring.

Recommendation 47

Recommendation

Develop a strategy for engaging with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) on decarbonisation, particularly high-emission, low-engagement businesses. Introduce a package of measures within this, including a one-stop-shop for SMEs to get decarbonisation advice with a carbon foot-printing tool, develop a strengthened low-carbon advisor / auditor role for SMEs and develop an effective financing strategy to support SME decarbonisation.

Response

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s UK Business Climate Hub is a digital platform used to encourage SMEs to join the Race to Zero, and find practical advice on how to reduce emissions. It is connected to the international SME Climate Hub, which provides a range of resources for SMEs to measure, reduce and report on their emissions, including a free Carbon Calculator tool.

Additionally, as outlined in the ‘British Energy Security Strategy’ (2022), we will look to establish a dedicated energy advice offering for smaller businesses to provide trusted advice to help them reduce their energy use, costs and decarbonise, and we are working to deliver a dedicated service on GOV.UK offering advice to businesses by the end of 2023. By the end of 2023, we will look to deliver a pilot energy advice service (one-stop-shop) for SME businesses that offers subsidised energy audits and potential grant funding to support improvements in awareness of energy management and take up of energy efficiency investments.

Recommendation 48

Recommendation

Through the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), develop a strategy as soon as possible on market design for the medium- to long-term for a fully decarbonised, resilient electricity system in the 2030s and onwards.

Response

The REMA programme is developing a strategy to reform (non-retail) electricity markets to help deliver a cost-effective transition to a future net zero power sector, whilst maintaining a secure electricity supply and ensuring our decarbonisation ambitions are achieved in the medium to long-term. We ran our first consultation from July to October 2022 and published the summary of responses in March 2023. We aim to publish a second REMA consultation in Autumn 2023 and will take decisions on shorter-term reforms more quickly where it is viable to do so throughout the REMA programme.

Recommendation 49

Recommendation

Publish a strategy to coordinate the development of interconnectors and connections for offshore wind farms to the onshore network, taking prompt action to ensure efficient implementation of the detailed regulatory and legislative changes necessary for their timely delivery.

Response

In 2020, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched the Offshore Transmission Network Review in partnership with key stakeholders to deliver a more coordinated transmission network for offshore wind and interconnectors and accelerate deployment whilst minimising impacts on communities and environment and reducing consumer cost.

The Holistic Network Design (HND), developed by National Grid ESO, was published in July 2022. This first of a kind design exercise details connections for ~20GW of offshore with a focus on sharing transmission infrastructure where possible. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is now consulting on: changes to the National Policy Statements which propose changing the presumption for Offshore wind connections from point-to-point to coordinated connections; community benefits; and publish recommendations for a future framework for delivery of offshore wind and interconnection. This will mark the end of the review phase and a shift to delivery.

Recommendation 50

Recommendation

Publish a strategic framework identifying the network requirements for Net Zero, and the changes needed to ensure investments in resilient infrastructure are identified, planned, consented and built in sufficient time to accommodate increased demand and generation.

Response

In August 2022, we published the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework jointly with Ofgem. This set out our vision for the transformation of the electricity network to ensure it is an enabler for net zero, and included key actions on:

taking a more strategic and coordinated approach to network planning and development that takes account of the wider energy system
accelerating network infrastructure delivery, ensuring the system is resilient, efficient and can transform at pace to meet government targets for low carbon demand and generation
streamlining the planning and consenting process to ensure more efficient build of infrastructure, while accounting for community and environmental impacts
improving affordability of and reducing timescales for connections to the electricity network
developing a smart and digitalised network, with flexible solutions and markets complementing physical infrastructure
ensuring costs are kept as low as possible and charges are reflective of the changing system
ensuring that electricity networks contribute to building back greener, with benefits for the whole economy and the environment

In addition, accompanying analysis showed the extent of network investment and network build required by 2050, as well as the expected benefits for jobs and the economy. The Strategic Framework complements the actions set out on electricity networks in the British Energy Security Strategy, and the appointment of Nick Winser as electricity networks commissioner to advise on how to achieve the aim of reducing the timeline for transmission infrastructure by 3 years, with an ambition to halve the end-to-end process.

Recommendation 51

Recommendation

Publish a comprehensive long-term strategy for achieving 95% low-carbon electricity by 2030, on the path to full decarbonisation by 2035. Ensure this sets out how the low-carbon flexibility options required to replace unabated gas by 2035 will be delivered, and identifies contingencies for addressing key risks (for example, nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage).

Response

Response

Response

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) is already applying its regulatory powers to require new platforms to include low carbon power such as being built ‘electrification ready’, or already electrified. The NSTA considers factors sometimes collectively referred to as an ‘effective net zero test’ when approving new field developments. The NSTA uses this process to ensure new developments build in carbon abatement and is continuously looking at strengthen interventions to prioritise electrification where technically feasible. Given the larger proportion of potential electrification projects will be in Scottish waters, the Scottish Government’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) sectoral marine planning and associated seabed leasing round, launched by Crown Estate Scotland, is playing an important role in the integration of offshore wind development and electrification of the oil and gas sector. INTOG leases are expected to be awarded in April 2023.

Question 5

Response

We have previously set out detail on the government’s approach to domestically achieving aims of priority sectoral pledges.

Coal: we have committed to phase out unabated coal power generation completely by 2024 and to fully decarbonise the power system by 2035, subject to security of supply.

Publish the government’s ambition for annual abatement from manufacturing energy efficiency underpinning its strategy, and finalise the policies to deliver this energy efficiency abatement from 2023 to 2027, including by delivering final decisions on the future of Climate Change Agreements and Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) and through new policies, such as policy on energy management system adoption or products standards.

Response

The Climate Change Agreements scheme was announced in Budget to be extended by 2 years estimated to be worth a further £300 million a year to eligible businesses and new targets running to 31 December 2024 will be negotiated with the sectors in the current CCA Scheme in 2023. A consultation on both the extension and some further proposals for a potential future scheme beyond that extension was published alongside the announcement and due to close on 10 May 2023. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero aim to publish a response later in the year.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the ESOS consultation outcome in July 2022, setting out decisions on changes in Phase 3 and future ESOS Phases. Government is also taking forward legislation to implement the proposed changes.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is continuing to explore policy development to support industrial energy efficiency. Existing measures have included the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to provide grant funding support for energy efficiency projects and sponsoring 100,000 free copies of the BS ISO 50005 energy management standard for SMEs. As outlined in the British Energy Security Strategy (2022), we plan to launch a dedicated digital energy advice offering for smaller businesses to provide trusted advice to help them reduce their energy use, costs and decarbonise, and we are working to deliver a dedicated service on GOV.UK offering advice to businesses by this winter. We will also be piloting a new audit and grant scheme this year enabling small businesses to move from insight to implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Recommendation 79

Recommendation

Resolve the distortive disincentive against electrification of sites within the UK ETS caused by the design of Climate Change Agreement targets.

Response

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has considered the recommendation in its December 2021 ‘Climate Change Agreements (CCA): proposals for a future scheme’ consultation, in that the adoption of some key carbon reduction technologies may influence performance on pure energy efficiency targets for eligible CCA facilities and we will engage with sectors on this area when agreeing targets. The recommendation will continue to be factored into our development of a future CCA scheme.

Question 6

Recommendations 80 to 99

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 80

Recommendation

Continue to support innovation and demonstration of fuel switching and CCS technologies for end-use in manufacturing and construction, for example through the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

Response

We commit to supporting innovation for fuel switching and first-of-a-kind demonstration of CCUS in industry. The Net Zero Innovation Programmes cover switching to lower carbon fuels are Industrial Fuel Switching 2, Green Distilleries and Red Diesel Replacement. Brief details of programme status follow.

Industrial Fuel Switching 2 (£55 million) - 21 phase 1 feasibility studies have been completed. A competition has been run for the phase 2 demonstration and the highest-scoring projects have been determined through the assessment and moderation process, these 13 projects are now progressing to contract.

Green Distilleries (£11.3 million) - 4 phase 2 demonstration projects were awarded through competition in September 2021, one has been terminated and the 3 remaining projects continue in their demonstration activities.

Recommendation

Consider how to avoid the extension of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to shipping displacing activity to higher-carbon alternative modes (such as road freight).

Recommendation

Confirm the position of the draft National Planning Statement for Renewables which states that further Energy from Waste plants should only be built where they can be demonstrated to be consistent with residual waste capacity needs and the waste hierarchy, and set out how these assessments will be made. Any new EfW plants (not currently under construction) should also be required to demonstrate readiness for carbon capture deployment.

Response

The current energy National Policy Statements set out the requirement that the applicant should demonstrate the conformity of the development of an energy from waste plant with the waste hierarchy. We are publishing for consultation the revised draft energy NPS, aligning to commitments made in the BESS, and have retained this requirement.

In March 2023, we published our Decarbonisation Readiness consultation which proposes updates to Carbon Capture Readiness including bringing waste incineration plants into scope of the requirements. As this is still subject to consultation, it will not be mentioned in the NPS.

Recommendation 93

Recommendation

Continue to develop plans for shifting towards an Energy from Waste fleet fitted with CCS from the end of this decade. As part of this set out an assessment of potential viability of existing and future Energy from Waste sites for CCS and implications for decarbonising the sector.

Response

We are engaging with industry to encourage decarbonisation of the waste sector, including carbon capture technology for energy recovery facilities, and working across government to develop policies to enable this. Policies across government, for example the Plastic Packaging Tax, the Collection and Packaging Reforms, the statutory target to halve residual waste (excluding major mineral wastes) by 2042, and proposed inclusion of energy from waste in the UK emissions trading scheme, will all help to increase recycling and minimise fossil waste incineration. Reducing fossil wastes in the first place will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy from waste. Carbon capture technology has potential to address remaining emissions and government is supporting this through the published consultation on proposed updates to Decarbonisation Readiness requirements to include combustion energy from waste plants, and the eligibility of energy from waste CCUS projects for the ICC business model under Phase 2 of the CCUS Cluster Sequencing Programme.

Recommendation 94

Recommendation

Commit to targets for ore-based steelmaking and cement production in the UK to reach near-zero emissions by 2035 and 2040, respectively.

Response

Response

In the Net Zero Strategy, we committed to provide guidance on emissions monitoring, reporting and target-setting, to enable the sector to do this consistently and coherently. This will ensure public sector organisations have the necessary information and incentives to decarbonise.

This will build on existing actions to strengthen sectoral capacity and capability, through the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund, which helps organisations identify and develop decarbonisation projects. Guidance to support estate decarbonisation is also available through the Modern Energy Partners programme delivered by the Energy Systems Catapult and the government property function’s ‘Net Zero Estate Playbook’.

The Greenhouse Gas Inventory provides robust evidence to track overall public sector progress. Other data sources are used to provide insights, including the Non-Domestic National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework and through monitoring and evaluating our Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and we work with the sector to understand their views on progress and challenges.

Recommendation 98

Recommendation

Cabinet Office should ensure that adaptation is integrated into major upcoming policies in the next 2 years related to the priority Third Climate Change Risk Assessment risk for which it has lead responsibility, coordinating work with other relevant departments as necessary: Multiple risks to the UK from climate change impacts overseas.

Response

The FCDO has taken ownership of 5 risk pathways, which outline the UK’s efforts to adapt to international climate change risks identified by the UK Climate Risk Independent Assessment (CCRA3). These pathways will showcase the work the UK is undertaking to support international adaptation efforts and highlight where we need to take further action. The FCDO will work closely with Cabinet Office to ensure these risk pathways reflect ongoing cross government work and highlight gaps that need to be addressed. Currently Cabinet Office is not the primary responsible department for any of the international risks identified by CCRA3.

Recommendation 99

Recommendation

For the coming 5-year period (2023 to 2028), Cabinet Office should outline appropriate actions in the next National Adaptation Programme to address the adaptation gap identified for the other risks and opportunities in the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment for which it is the lead department (see 2021 Adaptation Progress Report annex).

Response

The government recognises the risk of cascading failures, as highlighted by risks I1 and ID10 in the recent third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3). These risks will be addressed in the forthcoming third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), which is due for publication in mid-2023.

Question 7

Recommendations 100 to 119

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 100

Recommendation

Cabinet Office should build a strong climate resilience capability for the UK, including making use of storyline or ‘what-if’ scenarios to assess risks, in addition to or instead of using ‘reasonable worst-case’ approaches. It should develop an early warning system for global climate shocks.

Response

The National Situation Centre (SitCen), within the Cabinet Office, brings together data and analysis from across and beyond government to inform crisis preparedness and response, providing some early warning capability. SitCen works closely with both the Met Office and ONS and is able to ingest climate change data from both organisations rapidly, drawing on their scientific and analytical expertise. The Cabinet Office also continues to work with the Met Office and ONS to ensure government departments and key infrastructure operators can find, access, understand and make effective use of weather and climate data and expertise in their operational and strategic planning, as well as on their adaptation and resilience decision-making.

Recommendation 101

Recommendation

Cabinet Office should consider how more allowance and flexibility can be built into policy making and policy implementation. This could include enhancing the ability of the government to make fast decisions by bringing in technical advice and expertise quickly when needed, and both protecting, and enhancing, monitoring and surveillance systems to enable faster reactions as events unfold.

Response

Cabinet Office continues to work with lead government departments and key partners to inform and drive policy making. The National Situation Centre (SitCen) supports the work of lead government departments, developing digital data capabilities to understand vulnerabilities, drive insights and support decision making. This includes routine monitoring of key performance indicators across resilience-related thematic areas. In the event of national emergencies, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies can be convened to provide independent scientific advice to decision-makers.

The UK government Resilience Framework, published in December 2022, was informed by a significant body of evidence, with feedback and recommendations gathered through extensive engagement. The Framework ensures government and local actors have a common framework to be better able to anticipate, prepare, respond and recover in the long-term, including on climate change.

Recommendation 102

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement. Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 103

Recommendation

Ensure that all policies, funding, and delivery mechanisms are properly aligned to the pace of transition required and work together constructively towards Net Zero, for example through introduction of a Net Zero Test.

Response

To rise to the transformative and complex challenge of delivering net zero, we agree that government must continue to embed climate into its decision-making and policymaking processes.

In the past 18 months we have progressed action across a wide spectrum of activity, going further to embed climate in areas ranging from spending to governance, regulators to procurement.

The Prime Minister has put net zero at the heart of the government’s agenda and created the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This means there is a department whose primary focus, alongside energy security, is driving overall delivery of net zero and maximising the economic opportunity the transition presents.

Elsewhere, we have published the Greening Government Commitments, setting out the actions departments and their agencies will take to reduce their impacts on the environment.

We have also published the Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS), which will embed environmental considerations into the design and development of new and revised policy across government. We will continue to assess how we are organised, and orient our activities, actions, and processes to ensure we play our role in facilitating the transition towards net zero.

Recommendation 104

Recommendation

Extend the delivery of climate skills training across the Civil Service and wider public sector. Consider what wider supporting skills (delivery, coordination, legal, financial) will be needed in the public sector to enable effective delivery of the transition to Net Zero.

Recommendation

Use the remaining COP Presidency and the UK’s diplomatic capability to ensure progress is made on developed country climate finance commitments including the delivery of the $100 billion by 2023 at the latest and the doubling of adaptation finance on 2019 levels by 2025.

Response

The UK government used the convening power of its COP26 Presidency to the fullest, to ensure continued commitment to the $100 billion goal through the Delivery Plan. The Plan was published before COP26 and co-led by the Canadian and German governments. It provided the most transparent accounting of progress towards the goal so far.

At COP26, 95% of the largest developed country climate finance providers made new commitments, and we secured the commitment to a doubling of adaptation finance by 2025. We continued this work throughout the COP26 Presidency year. We secured agreement to a Progress Report on the Delivery Plan work, which will provide detail on progress made on the Delivery Plan’s 10 key actions, including how the adaptation finance doubling commitment will be met. We are working with the Champions Group on Adaptation Finance to improve the quality, quantity and access to adaptation finance. We continue to emphasise in bilateral political engagement the importance of delivering on commitments made in Glasgow, alongside responses to other emerging global development priorities.

Recommendation 108

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement. Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 114

Recommendation

Make long-term targets for biodiversity, set out under the Environment Bill, and associated timeframes outcome-based and linked directly to the goals set out in the government’s 25-Year Environment Plan.

Response

Under the Environment Act we have set 4 statutory targets for biodiversity to:

halt the decline in species abundance by 2030
ensure that species abundance is greater in 2042 than in 2022, and at least 10% higher than in 2030
reduce the risk of species extinction by 2042
restore or create in excess of 500,000 ha of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042, when compared to 2022 levels

These targets will drive action to meet goals set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan as well as wider environmental policy ambitions. Where possible, our targets are outcome based. For our habitats target, given existing data we are not fully able to account for habitat lost and therefore this target is an action-based target.

Recommendation 115

Recommendation

Make interim targets for biodiversity statutory and link them clearly to the long-term targets set out in the Environment Bill.

Response

Our Environmental Improvement Plan, published in January 2023, sets out 3 interim targets relating to biodiversity on land and freshwater:

to restore or create 140,000 ha of a range of wildlife rich habitats outside protected sites by 31 January 2028, compared to 2022 levels
all SSSIs will have an up-to-date condition assessment by 31 January 2028
50% of SSSIs to have actions on track to achieve favourable condition by 31 January 2028

These interim targets will set the trajectory towards long-term targets and function as drivers of action and allow for ongoing assessment of progress.

Our approach to setting legally binding targets is guided by long-term ambition. It would be unnecessary and detrimental to introduce legally binding interim targets. It would risk undermining the long-term nature of the targets framework, which is designed to look beyond the political cycle of any one government, avoiding action focused on short term quick wins.

Recommendation 116

Recommendation

The commitment in the 25 Year Environment Plan to achieve 75% restoration for terrestrial and freshwater protected sites should be extended to include all priority habitat sites.

Response

As part of our commitment to reverse the decline of nature we want to improve the condition of all our priority sites. It’s important, however, to focus resources where they will be most effective. Therefore, we are currently concentrating on statutory sites.

40% of the area of priority habitats within England are accounted for within the designated site network of SSSIs and the majority of land for 18 of the 24 terrestrial and coastal priority habitats falls within protected areas. The largest priority habitat area not covered by the SSSI network is deciduous woodland, however the England Trees Action Plan outlines our plans to improve the condition of our existing woodlands. Our updated ‘Keepers of Time’ policy document sets out our commitment to restoring Plantation Ancient Woodland Sites to native woodland priority habitat.

Our statutory biodiversity targets will further drive activity to restore priority and other wildlife-rich habitats.

Recommendation 117

Recommendation

Set out a clear mechanism to account for the consequences of higher water temperatures and low flows (including drying up) in water bodies for freshwater habitats and species, and for meeting the Water Framework Directive (WFD) targets. This is lacking in current plans to revise the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs).

Response

River Basin Management Plans are the primary delivery mechanism to coordinate efforts across the range of stressors and pressures that affect freshwater habitats and species. Updated plans, covering the period 2021 to 2027, were published in December 2022. The plans include a commentary on climate change and an explanation of actions that are being taken. Actions implemented through the plans is aligned to enhancing the resilience of water systems to a range of stressors, including those anticipated in the context of climate change.

Recommendation 118

Recommendation

Set out a Net Zero delivery strategy for the agriculture and land use sectors that brings together how land can deliver its multiple functions including: reducing emissions and sequestering carbon, adapting to climate change, food security, biodiversity, domestic biomass production and wider environmental goals. The strategy must clearly outline the relationships and interactions between the multiple action plans in development (for example, including those for peat, trees, nature, plant biosecurity and biomass), be spatially and temporally targeted, and aligned with action in the devolved administrations.

Response

We have set out detail on how farmers and land managers can contribute to government’s statutory environmental and climate targets, including on net zero, in the Environmental Improvement Plan and through the Environmental Land Management Schemes update, both published in January 2023.

To augment this, we have set out a full list of proposals and policies which will contribute towards net zero across the agriculture and land use sectors. We will continue to work with stakeholders to further refine these proposals and policies as we move forward with delivery.

We have also committed to publishing a Land Use Framework in 2023. This is critical in setting out how we deliver a multifunctional landscape, resilient to our changing climate, whilst meeting food production, environmental recovery and net zero. The scope of the framework is to be determined but we will work closely with the devolved administrations to ensure a cohesive approach to land use in the UK.

Scotland’s next Climate Change Plan (CCP) will set out our delivery strategy towards net zero across all sectors, including agriculture, LULUCF and bioenergy, taking into account environmental and other objectives for our land. The CCP will set out our climate policies on a sector by sector basis. Where there are interactions between the sectors, the policies in the CCP will be designed to support the multiple goals and interlinkages between these areas, including those between agriculture and land use.

Details of the Northern Ireland policies and proposals for agriculture which contribute to achieving emissions reductions targets will be included within the agriculture input to 5-yearly Climate Action Plans.

The Agriculture Wales Bill was introduced in Autumn 2022. The Bill will establish Sustainable Land Management (SLM) as the framework for future agricultural support. SLM will enable the delivery of future agricultural support in a way which ensures food is produced in a sustainable way and farmers are supported to in the fight against the challenges presented by climate change.

Recommendation 119

Recommendation

Set incentives to support agroforestry and hedgerows on UK farms. Plant trees on 2% of farmland by 2025 while maintaining its primary use, rising to 5% by 2035, and extend hedgerows by 20% by 2035 and better manage existing hedgerows.

Response

Defra are supporting dedicated schemes for the establishment and management of agroforestry systems and hedgerows under Environmental Land Management. These will support the planting of more trees on farmland, still use farmland to produce food, and meet England’s statutory targets.

We are developing an agroforestry standard within the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), with roll-out expected in 2024. This will help us deliver our aim of having agroforestry planted on 10% of all arable land in England by 2050.

A hedgerow SFI standard is being developed, for roll out in 2023. This standard is still being finalised, but farmers may be rewarded for carrying out management actions including maintaining hedgerow trees on their land. We are exploring the provision of capital grants for newly planted hedgerows.

Over half of Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme applications are for woodlands under 20 ha, typically from existing agricultural businesses. The farmer-led Integrating Trees Network aims to encourage more tree planting.

As part of DAERA’s future agricultural policy programme, Northern Ireland will be seeking to incentivise agroforestry and hedgerows on Northern Ireland farms. No targets have been set at a Northern Ireland farmland level to do this.

The Welsh Government’s outline sustainable farming scheme (SFS) includes a proposal for 10% tree cover on all farms. A new Woodland Creation Grant and Small Grants schemes will fund woodland and hedgerow creation in the transition to the SFS.

Question 8

Recommendations 120 to 139

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 120

Recommendation

Put in place robust frameworks for monitoring, reporting and verification of post-CAP farm subsidies and agriculture environment schemes to assess their effectiveness in delivering their environmental objectives, including for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Response

In England, the government is committed to ensuring the effectiveness of Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes in delivering against all outcomes. Both scheme level and aggregate data is used to assess impacts on 4 strategic outcomes which include net zero. These are reported annually and monitored regularly, helping us identify the biggest decarbonisation opportunities.

We have published a call for evidence exploring monitoring, reporting and verification of agriculture and land use emissions and will publish a government response in due course. Utilising these findings, we will develop a harmonised approach for measuring carbon emissions from farms. By 2024 we will set out how farmers will be supported to understand their emission sources through carbon audits and take further actions to decarbonise their businesses, including through ELM schemes.

A Scottish Agriculture Bill will be introduced in 2023. Scotland have committed to at least 50% of direct payments being conditional by 2025.

For Northern Ireland, robust frameworks for monitoring, reporting, and verifying DAERA’s future agricultural policy programme are being developed.

Future farm support in Wales will reward farmers who undertake actions to meet the challenges of climate change, alongside the sustainable production of food. Monitoring and evaluating the efficacy of the sustainable farming scheme forms part of the policy proposals and will form part of a formal consultation in 2023.

Recommendation 121

Recommendation

Set out how reform of agricultural subsidies in England under the new Environmental Land Management scheme will be targeted through the ‘public money for public goods’ approach, both regionally and temporally, to incentivise land managers to adopt measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions alongside delivery for food security, biodiversity and other environmental goals.

Response

Over 2023 and 2024, we will evolve all our Environmental Land Management schemes, including the successful Countryside Stewardship. It will include:

Expanding and refining the scope of the scheme so that it pays for more targeted, specific actions at the right level of ambition to contribute to our environment and climate goals. The scheme will continue the offer currently available through the England Woodland Creation Offer.
Improving the service so by 2024 land managers can: apply quickly alongside SFI; manage agreements more flexibly; more easily access high quality advice; have greater flexibility over when they can apply; and get paid more regularly. We will improve access for tenants and expand access.

‘Beyond Recycling – to make the circular economy in Wales a reality’ sets the pathway to a zero waste, net zero carbon Wales that keeps resources in use and avoids waste.

Recommendation 125

Recommendation

Set out how public and private funding for agricultural and land-based measures will be aligned, how opportunities to attract increased private finance for habitat creation and restoration will be developed, and promote the use of existing verifiable standards (such as the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code) whilst also considering the need to develop new ones.

Response

We have now published our refreshed ‘2023 Green Finance Strategy’ alongside the ‘Net Zero Growth Plan’. As part of this strategy, we have also published a nature markets policy framework, setting out our approach to supporting their development. This covers principles for alignment between different public and private mechanisms, as well as arrangements to accelerate the development of a more comprehensive suite of standards for investment in carbon and other ecosystem services in the UK. The framework builds on the work of international initiatives that the government has supported during and since its COP26 Presidency, such as the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, both of which are expected to launch their final best practice guidance later in 2023.

Scotland’s Private Investment in Natural Capital public sector programme is progressing Scotland’s commitment to develop a values-led, high-integrity market to encourage and blend responsible private investment in our natural capital.

Future Agricultural Policy in Northern Ireland will incorporate measures to achieve synergy between public and private funding and encourage additional support from private finance where possible. Existing verifiable standards will be incorporated where appropriate.

As part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing development of the policy proposals for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, public and private funding for agricultural and land based measures will be considered, recognising the opportunities both funding avenues provide.

Recommendation 126

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 127

Recommendation

As part of strengthening the regulatory baseline, extend coverage of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones across all of the UK in order to promote best practice in management of inorganic fertilisers and organic manure and slurry.

Response

In the Environmental Improvement Plan, the government committed to review our agricultural pollution prevention regulations to ensure they are fit for purpose in meeting our ambitions. The government has expanded Catchment Sensitive Farming to cover all farmed land in England. The government have funded new Environment Agency regulatory inspection officers, with the target of conducting 4,000 inspections this fiscal year. We are also committed to improving our regulatory framework.

The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 already sets mandatory requirements, regulated by SEPA, across all of Scotland for management of inorganic fertilisers and organic manure and slurry.

Future Agricultural Policy in Northern Ireland will encourage low carbon emission farming practices to promote best practices in management of inorganic fertilisers and organic manures and slurry.

The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 will be fully implemented by 1 August 2024 and apply across the whole of Wales.

Recommendation 128

Recommendation

As part of strengthening the regulatory baseline, introduce regulations under the Clean Air Strategy to reduce enteric methane emissions, specifically under environmental permitting to the dairy and intensive beef sectors and mandating UK feed producers to incorporate methane inhibiting additives.

Response

The Environmental Improvement Plan states that government will consult on extending environmental permitting to dairy and intensive beef farms. The consultation is likely to be around the scope and design of a permitting regime for these sectors.

Last year we launched a call for evidence on methane supressing feed products. A summary of responses will be published later this year and we will explore the role of industry and government at pace, as well as the ambition to mandate the introduction of products with proven safety and efficacy in compound feeds for cattle as soon as practically possible.

We anticipate entry of high efficacy methane suppressing products to the UK market from 2025 and will explore the role of industry and government to maximise uptake of such products for suitable cattle farm systems at pace, through a phased approach. This will include the ambition to mandate the introduction of products with proven safety and efficacy in compound feeds for cattle as soon as practically possible in England.

An application for use of one of these products, 3-nitroxyproponol (3-NOP), is currently under consideration for use as a methane suppressing additive in dairy cows and cows for reproduction by the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland.

We will explore suitable policy options to encourage uptake of these products with proven safety and efficacy.

Recommendation 129

Recommendation

Continue to support research and development into low-carbon farming practices, including behavioural, innovation and productivity measures. The risk of a high dependency on innovation and technology to meet GHG emission reductions should be assessed, and integrated with demand-side measures such as diet change and waste reduction.

Response

Defra focuses on innovation to reduce agricultural emissions given the current evidence base. We are supporting research and development for climate smart farming through Defra’s £270 million Farming Innovation Programme, significant UKRI investments, and international leadership on the post COP26 Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda and the Gilbert initiative. We continue to develop the evidence base underpinning our pathways by exploring varying reliance on innovation, recognising the potential mediating influence of consumption side trends on diets and food waste reduction. We will regulate where necessary and pay farmers and land managers to deliver carbon savings through our new farming schemes.

Scottish Government continues to support research and development on low-carbon farming through ClimateXChange, the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund, the Strategic Research Programme and grant funding of innovative projects.

In Northern Ireland, DAERA continues to commission research into a low-carbon farming practices including innovative measures to enhance productivity and explore behaviours that influence low-carbon farming practice adoption.

The Welsh Government continues to support low carbon farming through a Knowledge Transfer & Innovation programme (Farming Connect), Improvement Programmes, specific grants and other tools.

Recommendation 130

Recommendation

Move beyond the voluntary nature of current CAP replacement schemes by setting a strong regulatory baseline that strengthens rules such as those under cross compliance and retains them in UK legislation.

Response

We will use regulation, alongside other levers such as farming schemes, to prevent harms to our landscape and wildlife. Further information on the actions we will pay for through farming schemes was published in the Agricultural Transition Plan Update.

In England domestic legal requirements apply to all farmers beyond participation in CAP schemes. Most CAP rules reflect existing domestic legal requirements, with a few gaps. We have committed to replacing hedgerow protections that would be lost when cross compliance ends. We continuously review farming regulations to make sure they are effective at delivering our outcomes, where necessary we will raise regulatory standards to protect the environment.

A Scottish Agriculture Bill will be introduced in 2023. We have committed to at least 50% of direct payments being conditional by 2025.

In Northern Ireland, Cross Compliance is being replaced with Farm Sustainability Standards. Individual support measures will incorporate conditionality elements which will build on baseline standards and drive measure uptake.

Welsh Government consulted on National Minimum Standards (NMS) in the Agriculture (Wales) White Paper in 2020 to 2021. The NMS are intended to provide clarity about the existing law to ensure compliance.

Recommendation 131

Recommendation

Set in place action to overcome financial barriers that prevent take-up and innovation in low-carbon farming practices. This should include management incentives under the ELM scheme and approaches set by devolved administrations, grants for capital items and infrastructure, and support for research and development.

Response

In England, Defra are designing payment rates to drive take-up of environmental land management (ELM) schemes, while also ensuring value for public money. SFI and CS will include actions to support agriculture in reducing its emissions, for example establishing and managing herbal leys. We have introduced a new SFI management payment of £20 per hectare, for up to the first 50 hectares of land entered in the scheme. This recognises the cost of planning for and participating in the SFI. We are also spending over £270 million through our Farming Innovation Programme and supporting £120 million investment in research across the food system. We are also providing grants towards equipment and technology through our Farming Investment Fund. We will continue to co-design, test and evaluate actions which may be appropriate to become elements of future support. On 10 February 2023 a route map was announced with timescales to the industry.

DAERA’s Future Agricultural Policy Programme will seek to incentivise low carbon farming, through, for example, its Investment Measure. DAERA will also continue to commission and provide support for Research and Development. A suite of transitional schemes have been developed and offered to farm businesses in 2022.These support farmers to enhance their technical, financial and environmental performance.

Recommendation 132

Recommendation

Extend the statutory requirements of marine plan policies to the decisions of public and private organisations. At present only public authorities are duty bound under law to apply the plan policies to their decisions meaning there is a significant gap in the protections they are designed to provide.

Defra have already set out a greater ambition for peat restoration in England in the Net Zero Strategy of approximately 280,000 hectares by 2050 (including all upland peat). Natural England will be publishing a Peat Restoration Roadmap in 2024 which will set out a trajectory for peat restoration in England and how this will be achieved.

The Scottish Government’s Peatland Programme is driving comprehensive action to remove barriers to upscaling restoration and to build a robust project pipeline to 2030 and beyond. Restoration targets beyond 2030 will be considered in Scotland’s next Climate Change Plan. Restoration requirements for commercial peat extraction sites are agreed with the relevant planning authority. Scottish Forestry do not support the planting of trees on deep peat (over 50cm) and all woodland creation cases covering sensitive areas, such as deep peat, require full environmental assessment.

The Welsh Government’s National Peatland Action Programme, supplemented by other projects, delivers peatland restoration. Afforested peatland is a priority theme. Peatland restoration targets have been tripled in line with 2050 Net Zero commitment.

Recommendation 138

Recommendation

Introduce baseline regulations to ensure lowland peat soils are not left bare by mandating the use of appropriate vegetation cover.

Response

Whilst Defra agree it is important to protect our peat soils, literature reviews to date have not suggested that bare peat versus vegetation cover makes a significant difference on greenhouse gas emissions from peat. The main control on emissions is the water table depth and that is our focus in developing protection measures. However, we will continue to develop our evidence base on sustainable management of lowland peat to inform policy interventions. We also look forward to the recommendations of the independent Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force.

Recommendation 139

Recommendation

Introduce policy to end rotational burning on peatland before the start of the 2022 burn season.

Response

Defra is committed to protecting and restoring England’s vulnerable peatlands. We introduced legislation in 2021 to prevent burning on protected peat sites. We will keep under review the environmental and economic case for extending the approach to additional areas of blanket bog after assessing how the new regime works in practice.

As part of the response to the recommendations of the Werritty report, Scottish Government are proposing a statutory ban on muirburn on peatland unless it is part of an approved habitat restoration programme, to protect public safety (for example, reduce the risk of wildfire) or for the purpose of research.

In Northern Ireland, it is envisaged that there are limited occasions of managed rotational burning of peatland.

50% of Wales’ peatlands are protected from unconsented rotational burning by designation. Pressure to undertake rotational burning is not a significant issue to Wales.

Question 9

Recommendations 140 to 159

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 140

Recommendation

Introduce the proposed regulations to ban the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England and Wales by 2024. Use by the horticultural sector should also end in 2024, earlier than the currently proposed 2028. Government must work with the horticultural industry achieve this.

Response

Defra has always been clear of the need to end the use of peat and peat containing products in horticulture in England and have announced our intention to introduce legislation to ban the retail sale of peat when parliamentary time allows. This will address over 60% of the peat sold. We are working with the horticultural industry to understand better the technical barriers to replacing peat based growing media with suitable alternatives within the professional sector.

Welsh Government announced on 5 December 2022 the retail sale of peat in horticulture will end in Wales and is now working with the UK government to implement the ban.

Recommendation 141

Recommendation

Set out clear timeframes to end domestic and industrial peat extraction across the UK. Provide a mechanism to ensure the peat extraction industries restore extraction sites to protect the peat resource.

Response

Domestic peat extraction no longer takes place in England; we are investigating the state of former extraction sites and their restoration needs. Most of the remaining industrial peat extractions sites in England are found in Somerset. Defra are working with Somerset County Council to develop an approach to end peat extraction early. Restoration of extraction sites are a requirement of existing planning permissions. It is envisaged that peat extraction will effectively end once the sale of peat and peat containing products has ended.

In Scotland, NPF4 does not support new commercial peat extraction except for the whisky industry, which must minimise damage and restore peatlands. Ending domestic extraction has socio-economic impacts for crofters. Ending commercial peat extraction has significant financial implications.

There are proposed actions in the Draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy to “conduct a review and publish a key issues paper on peat extraction and the use of peat and peat products by 2023 and take forward any recommendations”.

Welsh Government aims to coordinate peatland restoration and sustainable management through the National Peatland Action Programme, supplemented by the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Recommendation 142

Recommendation

Where peat soils remain under agricultural use, set out how they will be managed in a more sustainable way. This should include raising water levels on 8% of lowland grassland by 2025, reaching 25% by 2035, and 12% of arable crops by 2025, reaching 38% by 2035.

Recommendation

Domestic biomass production will be considered as part of a strategic approach to land use, which considers the full range of government land-use priorities. To that end, the government has committed to publishing a Land Use Framework for England in 2023, which will set out land-use change principles to balance climate, food, and environment outcomes.

Recommendation 149

Recommendation

Develop a comprehensive plan to increase the production and use of UK sourced timber and support the long-term economic viability of domestic woodlands.

Response

Defra are working with stakeholders and across government to develop a policy roadmap to safely increase the use of timber in construction in England which is planned for publication in 2023.

Industry are publishing their National Wood Strategy for England. The strategy will highlight the opportunities for innovation and growth in a sector that can contribute positively to net zero, biodiversity gain, housing. The NWSE is expected to outline the steps needed to increase the nation’s wood production and utilisation.

The Scottish Government is supporting growth in the production and use of UK sourced timber and has set stringent targets, with a target of 3 million cubic metres of Scottish produced sawn wood and panel boards used in construction by 2030.

DAERA’s supply arrangements of certified timber to industry will continue to provide the sector’s key domestic supply requirements and underpin confidence in the forestry sector necessary to encourage forest/landowners to commit to long-term and resilient forestry land use.

In Wales the Timber Industrial Strategy will seek to identify priority interventions across the timber supply chain to develop a wood economy and encourage greater use of timber in construction.

Recommendation 150

Recommendation

Work with the Environment Agency to set out the measures being taken to improve the uptake of property-level flood resilience (PFR) following stakeholder responses to its PFR call for evidence and consultation. This should include improved data collection to monitor progress. Plans for the new national flood risk assessment and 2025 long-term investment scenarios must ensure that the evidence they provide can be used to identify the most effective locations for PFR, and smart targets for their installation with timescales.

Response

Government has committed to set policy direction for Property Flood Resilience measures that supports consumer and industry confidence, and therefore take-up.

The Environment Agency’s (EA) 2025 long-term investment scenarios will include PFR and identify the optimum level of investment. It will also estimate the potential for PFR to reduce risk at a national scale. This evidence will inform policy. The EA’s new national flood risk assessment will provide more accurate and richer flood risk information for England, which can be used, alongside local understanding, engagement, and appraisal, to identify candidate locations for PFR.

Recommendation 151

Recommendation

The government should outline the UK’s future ambitions on reducing consumption emissions.

Response

The UK has set ambitious emissions targets on a territorial basis, in line with the agreed international approach for reporting greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the government monitors the UK’s consumption emissions and publishes its ‘Carbon Footprint’ report on an annual basis. Monitoring of these emissions informs and enables policy development to support global decarbonisation efforts.

Consumption emissions are best tackled at an international level and the government continues to work with international partners to drive down global emissions.

Recommendation 152

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 153

Recommendation

The government should increase investment in, and improve the collection and reporting of, consumption emissions data. This should include (a) establishing a short- and medium-term strategy to improve the underlying methodology to ensure it can capture key improvements in the carbon intensity of imports (b) ensuring the resource to enable annual emissions statistics to be produced promptly each year.

Response

The government recognises the importance of consumption emissions and Defra has published the UK carbon footprint since 2008. Defra and other government departments have joint regular dialogue with data providers, the University of Leeds, and the Office for National Statistics, to explore how the methodology and statistics can develop, both in the short and long-term. Since 2022 the methodology has been regarded as sufficiently developed for these statistics to no longer be classified as ‘experimental’, although methodology continues to evolve.

The government is exploring what resources are required to elevate the carbon footprint to National Statistics status, to demonstrate they have met the highest standards of quality, trustworthiness and public value. Discussions with the Office for Statistics Regulation on this are planned for first half of 2023.

Recommendation 154

Recommendation

For the review of the F-gas Regulation happening this year, match or exceed any increase in ambition in EU F-gas Regulation, which is currently being reviewed.

Response

UK, Scottish and Welsh governments are reviewing the F-gas Regulation. This is being done in 2 stages. The first stage was completed in December 2022 with the publication of an assessment report. The report looks primarily at the impact of the current regulation and current market circumstances. The second stage will involve launch of a public consultation on future policy proposals which will seek to identify F-gas measures that will help meet the UK’s net zero target.

Recommendation 155

Recommendation

Pass legislation to reduce hydrofluorocarbon consumption by 85% by 2036 relative to 2011 to 2013.

Response

Defra will require primary powers to then lay secondary legislation to make necessary changes to the F-gas Regulation. The UK is nevertheless committed to meeting its obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol by reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption by 85% by 2036. The UK’s net zero objective means proposals in our planned consultation on changes to the F-gas Regulation will need to be ambitious, including considering going beyond the Kigali target.

The existing F-gas Regulation will reduce HFC placed for the first time on the market by 79% by 2030, compared to a 2015 to 2019 baseline. The UK is currently ahead of the Kigali Amendment schedule, having already implemented a phasedown of HFCs by 55% compared to the current 10% phasedown required under the Kigali Amendment.

Recommendation 156

Recommendation

Publicly push for stronger international action on reducing F-gases under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, including making it compatible with reaching Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging more countries to ratify the Protocol and the Amendment, improving international monitoring of emissions, supporting the development of more robust estimates of emission metrics, and supporting the reduction of inhaler emissions in other countries’ health services.

Response

The UK is publicly pushing for earlier Montreal Protocol action to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the main group of F-gases. We are also advocating to integrate action on energy efficiency for refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, which could double the climate benefits of the Kigali Amendment in line with Paris Agreement and net zero commitments.

Publish a detailed plan to decarbonise the waste sector (including Energy from Waste and wastewater) in line with meeting the Sixth Carbon Budget and Net Zero.

Response

The Resources and Waste Strategy 2018 sets out the government’s overall ambition and direction of travel to promote resource efficiency, move towards a circular economy and decarbonise the waste sector in England. The ‘Net Zero Strategy’ 2021 identified additional actions to decarbonise waste, including Energy from Waste (EfW) and wastewater. The ‘Environmental Improvement Plan’ 2023 set out in further detail how existing Defra policies within these strategies support the decarbonisation of the waste sector. To bring together the components of how the waste sector will contribute towards net zero, Defra will publish an addendum to the Resources and Waste Strategy in the summer, which will focus on net zero.

The Scottish Government consulted on proposals to minimise the environmental impact of waste, including the carbon impacts of incineration. A final Waste Route Map will be published in 2023, taking into account recommendations of an independent review of incineration, which considered decarbonisation options.

The Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 places an obligation on DAERA to develop a Climate Action Plan to deliver the 1st Carbon Budget. This contains policies and proposals to decarbonise the waste sector. It will be consulted on in 2023.

Net Zero Wales sets out the actions Wales is taking to decarbonise the waste sector, including an aim to achieve the highest recycling rates in the world.

Question 10

Recommendations 160 to 179

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 160

Recommendation

Clarify OFWAT’s mandate to enable efforts to decarbonise wastewater treatment in addition to scrutinising companies’ business plans ahead of the 2024 Price Review.

Response

Response

Response

Government undertook a significant review of incentives across the waste sector in its Resources and Waste Strategy and made further commitments in the Net Zero Strategy. It reviewed and committed to significant interventions in the waste sector that will deliver waste reduction, higher recycling, and decarbonisation. It included the Collection and Packaging Reforms which will achieve significant greenhouse gas savings. It also considered interaction with fiscal levers, including introduction of the plastic packaging tax.

Government is also undertaking a review of the Landfill Tax. Government has also announced a legal target to halve residual waste by 2042 (from 2019 levels) that incorporates a suite of committed policies and potential future pathways that include price-based interventions. Government has also announced a Waste Industrial Carbon Capture Business Model.

Recommendation 168

Recommendation

Finalise plans to introduce mandatory business food waste reporting so that it can be phased in from the beginning of 2024. Engage WRAP in providing or brokering consistent methods of measurement and associated data sets.

Response

The government consulted in 2022 on options to improve food waste reporting by large food businesses in England. The consultation considered different options to increase the number of businesses measuring and reporting their food waste. One of the options was for a regulatory approach and the proposed implementation for this was 2024. The government response will be published this spring.

Defra has funded WRAP to develop guidance and methodologies for businesses to utilise when measuring and reporting food waste. These methods of measurement have been used under the Courtauld Commitment and Food Waste Reduction Roadmap voluntary approaches and the government consulted on the use of these methodologies if a regulatory approach were to be introduced. This ensures that data collected by industry is standardised and comparable.

Recommendation 169

Recommendation

Formally set the proposed target for reducing residual waste (to landfill, incineration or export) by 50% by 2042.

Response

The target to ensure that by 2042 the total mass of residual waste (excluding major mineral wastes) is no greater than 287 kg per capita has now been formally set. This is equivalent to a 50% reduction from 2019 levels. We thank the CCC for their response to the Environmental Target Consultation which closed on 27 June 2022.

Recommendation 170

Recommendation

Consider the findings of the Environment and Climate Change Lords Select Committee inquiry into mobilising action on climate change and fund WRAP to undertake an assessment of the behaviour changes needed to achieve targets for food waste reduction, recycling and improved end user consumption’.

Response

Defra provide grant funding to support WRAP to carry out behavioural change work on recycling & food waste prevention. If any additional social research and evidence is required to support the achievement of our targets, this will be procured through normal government procurement processes.

We have recently begun an Evaluation of the Resources and Waste Strategy and the Waste Prevention Programme. We will use its findings to improve our understanding of behaviours, adapt our policy design and implementation, or provide additional input into the operating context, to make policies more effective in achieving our published targets.

Recommendation 171

Recommendation

Finalise the Waste Prevention Programme, including by setting out details on additional policies needed to achieve committed recycling and waste reduction targets, including additional Extended Producer Responsibility schemes committed in the draft WPP.

Response

Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste’, the new Waste Prevention Programme for England, is being finalised following consultation in 2021. We aim to publish the summary of responses alongside the new programme in the first part of 2023. The programme will set out priorities for action to manage resources and waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy. Some of the proposals are at an early stage and will be subject to further development. Following publication there will be engagement on individual policies, giving an additional opportunity for stakeholders to provide input.

Recommendation 172

Recommendation

Implement initial Extended Producer Responsibility, the Deposit Return Scheme and consistent collections of recycling and food waste without further delay. Complete an independent review of the impact of the schemes within 2 years of implementation (that is by 2026).

Response

Defra is committed to delivering our Collections and Packaging Reforms as quickly and effectively as possible. We published the government response to the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) consultation in March 2022, alongside the devolved administrations, announcing the introduction of EPR from 2024. We published the government response to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 20 January 2023, announcing the scheme will commence in October 2025. We are currently finalising our response to the consistency in recycling consultation for households and businesses in England and intend to publish the government response shortly.

We are undertaking an evaluation of the Resources & Waste Strategy. This will be an independent impact and economic evaluation for the Strategy and a process evaluation for packaging EPR, DRS and Consistency. This will start 6 months after the schemes are implemented with final reporting in 2027.

Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will go live on 16 August 2023.

We are working with the other UK administrations to bring in EPR across a range of materials; in particular, a scheme for packaging which will come in from 2024.

A consultation on consistent collections for recycling and food waste will be launched in Northern Ireland in 2023.

Welsh Government is working to implement the commitments in Net Zero Wales with the other governments across the UK on EPR for plastic packaging, and with England and Northern Ireland on a DRS for drinks containers. In parallel, Welsh Government are undertaking the final consultation on the Business, Public and Third Sector recycling reforms which will align collection with the continuing successful roll-out of consistent household collections via our Blueprint best practice.

Recommendation 173

Recommendation

Set ambitious post-2035 recycling targets alongside possible policy options for delivering such targets, including increasing investment to deliver long-term infrastructure needs.

Response

Government has set a long-term, legally binding waste target to reduce residual waste (excluding major mineral waste) kg per capita by 50% by 2042 from 2019 levels. We have also set short-term interim targets, and future interims will be set in the next Environment Improvement Plan.

We are also taking measures to ensure we recycle at least 65% of municipal waste by 2035. Within the Resources & Waste Strategy evaluation, a list of indicators will be reported against annually in the Monitoring Progress publication.

We have taken significant action to drive progress. This includes introducing Extended Producer Responsibility to ensure producers cover the full net cost recovery for packaging; having greater consistency in what is collected for recycling in England, including collecting more materials like plastic film and separate food waste; and introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers. These reforms will provide clarity to investors and support infrastructure development.

Recommendation 174

Recommendation

Ensure that adaptation is integrated into major upcoming policies in the next 2 years related to the priority Third Climate Change Risk Assessment risks for which Defra has lead responsibility, coordinating work with other relevant departments as necessary: Risks to soil health from increased flooding and drought.

Response

The Environmental Improvement Plan sets out our future approach for protecting and enhancing the health of our soil. This includes the commitment to bring at least 40% of England’s agricultural soil into sustainable management by 2028 and increase that to 60% by 2030. Actions to deliver thriving plants and wildlife and clean and plentiful water, as well as mitigating and adapting to climate change, will also support healthy soils.

Defra will incentivise farmers and land managers under agri-environment schemes to manage land in a way that improves and protects the overall health and structure of the soil. This includes the introduction of herbal leys and cover crops, which we are already paying for under the Sustainable Farming Incentive. These actions will help increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and provide resilience against the impacts of climate change such as flooding and drought.

Recommendation 175

Recommendation

Ensure that adaptation is integrated into major upcoming policies in the next 2 years related to the priority Third Climate Change Risk Assessment risks for which Defra has lead responsibility, coordinating work with other relevant departments as necessary: Risks to natural carbon stores and sequestration (trees, soils and wetlands) from multiple hazards.

Response

We have published the UKFS guide on adapting forest and woodland management to the changing climate and will seek to support the Forestry and Climate Change Working Group in implementing its adaptation plan and develop a Woodland Resilience Implementation Plan.

We are developing a healthy soil indicator, where soil carbon is considered as one of many key soil variables, and soil structure scheme aiming to help land managers and farmers track the health of their soil, including levels of SOM.

Peat habitats in good condition are more resilient to climate change. We set a target in the ‘Net Zero Strategy’ to restore approximately 280,000 ha of peatland in England by 2050 and Natural England will publish an implementation plan in 2024.

We need to restore and protect coastal wetlands. The majority of the UK’s saltmarsh habitats are within Marine Protected Areas, and our focus is now on ensuring these areas are effectively protected. We have also established the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership to progress the evidence base on ‘blue carbon’.

Recommendation 176

Recommendation

Ensure that adaptation is integrated into major upcoming policies in the next 2 years related to the priority Third Climate Change Risk Assessment risks for which Defra has lead responsibility, coordinating work with other relevant departments as necessary: Risks to crops, livestock, and commercial trees from multiple hazards.

Recommendation

The next National Adaptation Programme, due in 2023, should set out how adaptation is being integrated into policy, and the measurable actions by department for adaptation across each of the 61 risks and opportunities set out in the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment Technical Report for the period 2023 to 2028.

Response

The government is working to produce a National Adaptation Programme that addresses all of the 61 risks and opportunities in its third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3). This will consider the risks that climate change poses to the successful delivery of government policies, programmes and investments to improve their success as our climate changes. Progress indicators, aligned to risks and opportunities set out in CCRA3 will be developed and published following the publication of NAP3 and will help the programme have a more targeted and effective approach to monitoring. The government has taken steps to strengthen its underpinning governance and mechanisms to support this approach and drive adaptation efforts. This includes updating the government’s ‘Green Book Supplementary Guidance on Accounting for the Effects of Climate Change’ to set out how government should embed consideration of climate change risks and opportunities in policy, programme and investment decisions, drawing on climate evidence.

Question 11

Recommendations 180 to 199

Accepted Answer

Our biodiversity targets will drive action across government to address pressures on species and habitats, including those from climate change.

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 196

Recommendation

Publish the full ‘Jet Zero Strategy’ as soon as possible in Q3 2022 to provide a clear strategy for the sector to decarbonise and to provide certainty to airlines, airports, and supporting industries.

Response

The ‘Jet Zero Strategy’ was published in July 2022, and sets out our vision for the aviation sector to reach its goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The Strategy focuses on the rapid development of technologies in a way that maintains the benefits of air travel, whilst maximising the opportunities decarbonisation brings for the UK. Our strategic framework sets out 3 guiding ‘principles’: international leadership; delivered in partnership; and maximising opportunities. It also focuses on 6 core policy measures: systems efficiencies, sustainable aviation fuels, zero emission flight, markets and removals, influencing consumers, and addressing non-CO2 impacts. The Strategy introduced an in-sector CO2 emissions reduction trajectory, a world-first, which sees UK aviation emissions peak in 2019. We have also set an earlier target for UK domestic flights to reach net zero by 2040, and for airport operations in England to be zero emission by 2040.

Recommendation 197

Recommendation

Assess the government’s airport capacity strategy in the context of Net Zero, as part of the aviation strategy. There should be no net expansion of UK airport capacity unless the carbon-intensity of aviation is in line with or ahead of the government’s pathway and can accommodate the additional demand. A demand management framework will need to be developed by 2023 and be in place by the mid-2020s to annually assess and, if required, control sector GHG emissions and non-CO2 effects.

Response

We remain committed to growth in the aviation sector where it is justified. Our analysis in the Jet Zero Strategy shows that the sector can achieve net zero carbon emissions from aviation without the government needing to intervene directly to limit aviation growth. Our scenarios show that we can achieve our targets by focusing on new fuels, technology, and carbon markets and removals with knock-on economic and social benefits. Our ‘high ambition’ scenario has residual emissions of 19 MtCO2e in 2050, compared to 23 MtCO2e residual emissions in the CCC’s Balanced Pathway.

Airport growth has a key role to play in boosting our global connectivity and levelling up in the UK. Our existing policy frameworks for airport planning provide a robust and balanced framework for airports to grow sustainably within our strict environmental criteria. We do not, therefore, consider restrictions on airport growth to be a necessary measure.

Recommendation 198

Recommendation

Commit to monitor seat occupancy in the next few years (3-4) during recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the sector either returns to prior occupancy levels or routes are adjusted to account for low occupancy rates. Consider regulating aircraft occupancy standards if the trends do not return to pre-pandemic levels in the next 12 months.

Response

Through the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’, we have committed to ensuring maximum potential is made of all flights and to avoid unnecessary emissions from ‘ghost flights’ that are empty or near empty when departing the UK. During the pandemic, we saw a decrease in average load factors across flights reflecting international travel restrictions and changes to passenger confidence to travel. There are many reasons why flights may need to operate with lower loads, and the usual rules requiring airlines to operate flights to retain their historic slots rights were waived in March 2020. As such, we do not believe that low volume flights were undertaken simply to retain slots during this time. As the sector recovers, we will seek further transparency on this issue, working with the CAA, which publishes regular data detailing load factors at UK airports each quarter, to meet the growing interest in this information.

Recommendation 199

Recommendation

Use the ICAO General Assembly to protect, strengthen and extend Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) such that all residual emissions in 2050 are covered by near-permanent, sustainable greenhouse gas removals. Commit to increasing the number of airlines opting in and, if strengthening it is not possible, push for an additional policy for countries willing and able to commit to a higher standard of carbon removal for aviation than exists through CORSIA.

Response

At ICAO’s 41st Assembly, the UK played a leading role in negotiating a new global goal for international aviation of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Aligning with the Paris Agreement temperature goal, this will set direction for national and international policy, attract green investment, and create a platform for agreeing further international measures. We share the CCC’s view that, by 2050, the sector’s residual emissions should be compensated for by robust greenhouse gas removals. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) provides an established mechanism through which this could be achieved.

The UK also secured a new agreement on CORSIA, meaning airlines will begin offsetting emissions from flights between at least 118 countries from 2024. This bolsters global support whilst maintaining the environmental integrity of the scheme. We believe it is paramount to sustain momentum behind CORSIA and will use its Periodic Reviews to improve its operation and strengthen ambition over time.

Question 12

Recommendations 200 to 219

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 200

Recommendation

Continue innovation and funding for aircraft efficiency measures, hybrid, full electric and hydrogen aircraft development and airspace modernisation.

Response

As part of the government’s £20 billion annual investment in R&D we will continue to support industrial R&D through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, informed by the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy. In March the government announced a funding uplift for the ATI programme of £685 million over 3 years. This represents an increase of 50% on the previous 3 years.

In addition, we provided up to £9.2 million of funding for the airspace modernisation programme as part of government’s continued commitment to both supporting recovery in the aviation sector as we emerge from the pandemic and to our net zero targets. The refreshed Airspace Modernisation Strategy, published on 23 January 2023, introduces environmental sustainability as an overarching principle, reaffirming the commitment to help the sector achieve its net zero targets by 2050.

Recommendation 201

Recommendation

Start monitoring non-CO2 effects of aviation (including through the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) for eligible aeroplane operators), set a minimum goal of no further warming after 2050 from non-CO2 effects, research mitigation options, and consider how best to tackle non-CO2 effects alongside UK climate targets without increasing CO2 emissions.

Response

Through the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’, we committed to working closely with atmospheric scientists, other researchers, and industry, both domestically and internationally, to better understand the science and potential mitigations of non-CO2 impacts from aviation. We also confirmed that we will work with the CCC to explore its recommendation for no additional non-CO2 warming from aviation after 2050 and to develop a methodology to monitor the non-CO2 impacts from aviation on a regular basis. We are in the process of scoping a research programme to take forward these commitments.

Following a call for evidence last year, we are also considering whether and how non-CO2 impacts could be included in the scope of the UK ETS. A government response will be published in due course.

As the evidence base develops, we will support the consideration of appropriate international measures to address non-CO2 impacts working through the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Recommendation 202

Recommendation

Commit to a policy on the UK ETS/Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) interaction as soon as possible, ensuring it is sufficiently environmentally stringent and that no credits from CORSIA are used for flights currently covered by the UK ETS unless and until they can satisfy strict eligibility criteria (equivalence, additionality, permanence, sustainability). The interaction should avoid double-compliance.

Response

Response

Along with our delivery bodies, we have plans underway to adapt to and mitigate the risks of climate change. For instance, National Highways continue to deliver a safety programme, as set out in the second Road Investment Strategy. This seeks to enhance all-weather resilience of the Strategic Road Network to minimise the risk of incidents and their impact for road users. Similarly, the government’s 2021 ‘Plan for Rail’ includes a priority for long-term investment in climate resilience supported by smarter forecasting, planning and technology.

We will continue to work across government and industry to identify and support appropriate actions to address the adaptation gap and make progress towards tackling these significant challenges. We will provide an update in the third National Adaptation Programme due to be published this summer.

DfT is in the process of developing a Transport Adaptation Strategy to explore expectations, interdependencies, standards, and scenario planning.

Recommendation 208

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice. The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050. Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 209

Recommendation

Build upon the proposals for the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and the UK MRV regulations to explore options for an activity-based measure of UK shipping emissions. This should include exploring the benefits of changing the emissions accounting approach for international shipping, to ensure that a fair share of emissions for voyages to and from the UK are captured within the UK’s inventory even if vessels refuel in other jurisdictions.

Response

The consultation on the proposal to expand the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to domestic maritime closed in June 2022. We are currently considering the responses and will publish our response in due course. We will keep the measurement approach to the UK’s international shipping emissions under review and consider the appropriateness of fuel or activity-based measures.

Regarding international emissions, in June 2021 the UK government committed to include the UK’s share of international shipping emissions, as recommended by the CCC, into the Sixth Carbon Budget (covering 2033-37). With the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, we will legislate for the inclusion of International Aviation and Shipping emissions in the Sixth Carbon Budget later this year, subject to parliamentary scheduling.

Recommendation 210

Recommendation

Take a leadership role in pushing for inclusion of a Net Zero 2050 target within the 2023 update of the International Maritime Organisation’s initial greenhouse gas strategy.

Response

The UK hosts the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is an influential player in negotiations underway to revise the IMO Initial Strategy on the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from ships in July 2023. We are working to build consensus to raise the level of ambition in the IMO’s GHG Strategy and ensure we are consistent with a 1.5°C pathway. That is why we are championing a 2050 target of zero emissions for international shipping.

Recommendation 211

Recommendation

Publish the Course to Zero consultation. This should aim to set an ambitious trajectory to Net Zero for the domestic maritime sector.

Response

Response

The Course to Zero consultation was published on 14 July 2022, seeking views and evidence on the optimal pathway to net zero emissions in 2050, including where there is scope to accelerate decarbonisation across various domestic maritime sub-sectors. The consultation also gathered feedback on the remaining barriers to maritime decarbonisation and explored the further technological, operational, and policy options which could be employed to address these barriers. We aim to publish a summary of responses soon.

We will use evidence received during this consultation to help develop indicative decarbonisation targets for the domestic maritime sector and to shape future government policy to help and direct the sector to achieve a net zero target by no later than 2050. These targets and future policy interventions will be published as part of the updated Clean Maritime Plan in 2023.

Recommendation 215

Recommendation

Provide support and incentives to drive private-sector investment in low-carbon maritime fuels, engine technologies, and storage facilities. These should enable zero-carbon fuels to expand to 33% of UK shipping fuel use by 2035.

Response

UK SHORE is delivering the multi-year Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition – a series of funding rounds which allocate R&D funding for the development of clean maritime solutions, including low-carbon fuels, engine technologies, and storage facilities. CMDC1 allocated £12 million to 55 projects for feasibility studies and technology demonstrated between September 2021 – March 2022. CMDC2 allocated £12 million to 31 projects for feasibility studies and technology demonstrations between January – August 2023. CMDC3 has allocated £60 million for technology and system demonstrations between April 2023 – March 2025. Winners will be announced soon.

UK SHORE has also announced the Zero Emission Vessels & Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition which will allocate £77 million funding to support close to commercial clean maritime solutions, including alternative, low-carbon fuels, engine technologies and storage facilities. The application window closes in April 2023 and successful projects will run from October 2023 to March 2028, with industry funding the demonstrations from March 2025 in different operational environments.

Recommendation 216

Recommendation

Report on progress in identifying green shipping corridors and the actions to implement them, as agreed within the Clydebank Declaration. This should be published ahead of COP28.

Response

The UK SHORE programme will provide £206 million of R&D investment into clean maritime technologies and infrastructure. The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) is part of this programme and is funding 3 feasibility studies into international Green Corridors from the UK as part of CMDC2. Future UK SHORE intervention considerations include the further development and operationalisation of UK Green Corridors.

Additionally, the UK formed bilateral partnerships to support the establishment of green shipping corridors with the US, Norway, and the Netherlands as part of the Green Shipping Challenge at COP27. These partnerships will convene subnational and private-sector stakeholders to drive collaborative innovation and demonstration projects towards the establishment of Green Corridors between partner nations.

DfT continues to engage internationally with other Clydebank signatories, notably through the Zero Emission Shipping Mission, to facilitate cross-border learnings. We will report on progress in progressing Green Corridors in the revised Clean Maritime Plan in 2023.

Recommendation 217

Recommendation

Publish findings from e-scooter trials and set out a role for these vehicles, alongside e-bikes and bike/scooter sharing schemes, in delivering sustainable local transport systems.

Response

Findings from the National Evaluation of E-scooter Trials, covering data up to December 2021, were published on 15 December 2022.

The government plans to introduce legislation for micromobility when parliamentary time allows and will consult on regulations before they are introduced.

The government intends to create a Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category that is independent from the cycle and motor vehicle categories.

The first beneficiaries of this new system will be e-scooters, which we intend to legalise for private use in the future. This will require setting robust technical requirements and clear expectations on users.

We also intend to introduce a rental framework which will allow local transport authorities to manage rental services of cycles, e-cycles and e-scooters, so that fleet sizes and parking can all be kept under local control.

Recommendation 218

Recommendation

Set out, through Active Travel England, guidance for what actions local authorities should take to realise the Transport Decarbonisation Plan’s commitment to half of all journeys in towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030. This should be accompanied by the required funding.

Response

On 6 July 2022, DfT published the second statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS 2) which covers the period between 2021 and 2025. The strategy includes new and updated objectives including increasing levels of walking and walking to school, doubling cycling, and increasing the proportion of journeys in towns and cities that are walked or cycled. It also outlined the funding projected to be invested in active travel over the period of the strategy: the government currently projects that this will be around £3 billion. Active Travel England (ATE) became an Executive Agency in August 2022 and will oversee a step-change in how active travel programmes are delivered. ATE will ensure that local authorities invest in effective, high-quality schemes that support local active travel network plans that give people a genuine choice to walk, wheel and cycle local journeys to achieve the objectives in CWIS 2.

Recommendation 219

Recommendation

In further developing their thinking on Roads Investment Scheme 3, DfT and National Highways must rigorously assess the emissions impacts of these plans and thoroughly consider alternative approaches that could deliver similar benefits with lower emissions. The strategy should not aim to cater for unconstrained growth in road traffic and should be compatible with Net Zero.

Response

Almost half of the government’s investment programme for England’s strategic roads, often described as roadbuilding, is in fact for renewing, maintaining, and operating the existing network. It also includes funds to improve safety and biodiversity, deliver active travel schemes and tackle noise or air pollution. The vast majority of road enhancements are focused on improving existing roads rather than building new ones, and in all cases a range of alternative options are considered for delivering scheme benefits, as required by HM Treasury business guidance and as enacted through the options development stage in National Highway’s Project Control Framework. It is important to look at the government’s investment programme in the wider context, taking into consideration the plans for the decarbonisation of road vehicles, improvements to public transport and active travel, and the utilisation of low-carbon construction. Together, this is a balanced package consistent with net zero and the Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

Question 13

Recommendations 220 to 239

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 220

Recommendation

Reform the Transport Appraisal Guidance to ensure that it enables practitioners to make decisions that are consistent with the Net Zero pathway. DfT should consider whether a ‘vision and validate’ approach to the future transport system might be more appropriate than a ‘predict and provide’ one in this context.

Response

The Transport Decarbonisation Plan recognised the need to move away from transport planning based on predicting future demand to provide capacity and committed to move towards a vision-led approach that sets an outcome communities want to achieve with transport solutions capable of delivering those outcomes. We are identifying ways we can support and empower plan-makers and decision-takers to develop innovative sustainable transport policies. This includes aligning publications to create a mutually supportive policy framework in order to deliver on this commitment and facilitate better practice.

The Transport Appraisal Guidance (TAG) already includes methods and values for the assessment of greenhouse gases impacts. We are improving presentation of carbon impacts and compiling guidance and common analytical scenarios that better enable carbon assessment and treatment to allow greater alignment with net zero. We will continue considering how TAG can support net zero objectives.

Recommendation 221

Recommendation

Set out measurable targets for the contribution that reducing car travel will play in delivering transport’s Net Zero pathway.

Response

Response

We have published a landmark strategy setting out our plans to accelerate the rollout of a world-class charging network, and our commitments to make electric vehicle (EV) charging cheaper and more convenient than refuelling at a petrol station.

Public charging devices have more than tripled in less than 4 years with the private sector investing hundreds of millions and government providing support where necessary. There are now over 37,500 publicly available charging devices including over 7,500 rapid devices.

The government expects private sector investment to continue to lead the expansion of the UK’s charging network and will target its support where it is needed most. The Rapid Charging Fund will future-proof electrical capacity at strategic locations, and the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will support local authorities to work with industry to transform the availability of low powered, public charging for drivers without off-street parking.

Following the LEVI Pilot, a further £381 million in capital and resource funding has been made available through the launch of the full LEVI Fund. We have also committed an additional £15 million under the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) for 2023 to 2024.

Recommendation 225

Recommendation

Enact legislation requiring better reliability, accessibility, interoperability and ease-of-use at public charge points, as committed to in the government response to the consultation on the consumer experience at public charge points.

Response

To improve the experience of consumers accessing public charging infrastructure, we are regulating to mandate open data to ensure consumers can locate the right chargepoints for their needs, alongside mandating 99% reliability across each rapid charging network and a 24/7 helpline. In addition, we will mandate a minimum payment method and payment roaming, and mandate a pricing metric to ensure pricing transparency.

We are also regulating to introduce contactless at new chargepoints 8kW and above and existing rapids 50kW and above within one year.

DfT and Motability commissioned the British Standards Institute (BSI) to develop accessible EV charging standards. The final standards were published in October 2022 and we are continuing to work with local authorities, industry and Motability to ensure that chargepoints and the built environment are inclusively designed.

Recommendation 226

Recommendation

Review and strengthen rapid charger rollout plans on the major road network out to 2035, to ensure that drivers have the confidence that they can find reliable, available charge points as EV uptake grows.

Response

We are stepping up the delivery of high-powered chargers on the strategic road network for people making longer journeys. We aim to have at least 6 high powered, open access chargepoints at motorway service areas in England by the end of 2023 (6x2023), with some larger sites having many more. By 2035, we expect the number to increase to around 6,000 across the network. The Rapid Charging Fund will part-fund future-proofed electrical grid capacity at service areas in England, to ensure that there is a rapid charging network ready to meet the long-term consumer demand for EV chargepoints ahead of need.

Recommendation 227

Recommendation

Set out clear expectations and targets as to what local authorities should do to develop and implement local charging strategies, along with milestones for the rate at which charge point provision is expected to expand. Ensure that local authorities all have the capacity and capability to develop these strategies and implement the actions required.

Response

Locally led chargepoint planning is crucial to ensure that the network of public chargepoints meets the diverse needs of EV drivers in different areas. Subject to consultation, we will make this a statutory duty for local authorities.

We launched the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund Pilot (LEVI) which provided £57 million of public and private investment to 25 different local authorities across England. This will deliver almost 4,5400 chargepoints and gullies to scale up the delivery of local chargepoints and support drivers without off-street parking.

The LEVI Fund builds on the existing On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS.) £37 million has been made available in 2022 to 2023 and is open to local authorities across the UK and Northern Ireland. A further £165 million is available in 2023 to 2024. The scheme has already provided funding which will see more than 14,000 public chargepoints installed.

Recommendation 228

Recommendation

Work with the freight industry to design and implement pilot schemes to explore approaches to reducing van and HGV usage in urban locations.

Response

In the Future of Freight Plan (2022) the government committed to do the work necessary to identify a National Freight Network. This work will include building understanding of how freight operates as a system to support evidenced based policy making which could include ways to reduce van and HGV usage in urban locations.

Recommendation 229

Recommendation

Prioritise delivery of a new, transparent fare structure that offers more affordable and reliable travel, ensuring fairness in relation to more carbon-intensive choices, and a more interlinked public transport system between operators.

Response

On rail, the government is investing £360 million in fares, ticketing and retailing, delivering a major overhaul to the way in which rail travel is bought and paid for. The Plan for Rail proposes the biggest shake-up of rail in a generation. We have already made progress on fares reforms, for example introducing flexible season tickets in 2021, committing to PAYG in urban areas across the country and to extending the single leg pricing trial on LNER to the rest of their network later this year.

The National Bus Strategy explains how we will make buses more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, better co-ordinated and cheaper. We are providing over £1 billion to help local transport authorities deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans, including their plans and costs for implementing new fares and ticketing policies.

Recommendation 230

Recommendation

Publish a comprehensive plan setting out how government’s target of removing diesel trains from the railway by 2040 and achieving a Net Zero rail network by 2050 or earlier will be achieved.

Response

Response

The Zero Emission Road Freight Demonstrator (ZERFD) programme will demonstrate hundreds of zero emission heavy good vehicles on UK roads, alongside providing the relevant recharging/refuelling infrastructure to support the demonstrations. The programme will provide confidence to industry to invest in zero emission HGVs by creating an evidence base on which technology solution/mix is best for specific use cases. Industry partners are keen to expand on the demonstrations funded as part of ZERFD by increasing the use of zero emission HGVs within their own fleets. All vehicles and infrastructure plan to be deployed by March 2025. The Future of Freight Plan made a commitment to collectively assess the freight sector’s future energy and fuel needs through a Freight Energy Forum. We will convene industry stakeholders to help shape the infrastructure plan. The department remains neutral on which technology or technology mix may be best to decarbonise the UK’s road freight fleet.

Recommendation 234

Recommendation

Explore ways to reduce the cost of local public charging for drivers who do not access to private off-street parking to make it more comparable to charging at home. This could include reducing VAT on some public charging, requiring residential building owners to install charge points in shared car parks, or offering subsidised charging for local residents.

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Question 14

Recommendations 240 to 259

Accepted Answer

encouraging adoption of best practice in respiratory disease management
facilitating a move to lower carbon inhalers (either DPIs, SMIs, or lower carbon MDIs where DPIs and SMIs are not clinically appropriate)
increasing greener disposal of inhalers
supporting adoption and spread of innovation such as lower carbon propellants and alternatives

To support the implementation of this policy, NHS England has included 4 related indicators as part of its Primary Care Network Investment and Impact Fund scheme.

Recommendation 243

Recommendation

For the coming 5-year period (2023 to 2028), DIT should outline appropriate actions in the next National Adaptation Programme to address the adaptation gap identified for the risks and opportunities in the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment for which it is the lead department (see 2021 Adaptation Progress Report annex).

Building standards are applied and enforced through Building Regulations. All new homes and buildings are required to meet current building regulations, regardless of whether they were permitted through a permitted development right or following an application for planning permission.

The minimum standards set for new builds through the Building Regulations are not intended to apply to buildings which are undergoing a change of use. Separate standards for such buildings exist and compliance is ensured through the building control process.

The government introduced a number of measures as part of the 2021 uplift to the Building Regulations to address the inconsistency between the modelled and actual performance of buildings. For new homes, the comprehensive package of measures is set out in more detail in the government response to The Future Homes Standard consultation of 2019.

Recommendation 248

Recommendation

Ensure that all types of current and future flood risk are included in policies to assess flood risk to new developments. Housing targets for local authorities should take account of flood risk, amongst other environmental issues.

The NPPF is clear that development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere. The supporting Planning Practice Guidance on Flood risk and coastal change make it clear that the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) assesses flood risk from all sources, taking account of the impacts of climate change, and to assess the cumulative impact that land use changes and development in the area will have on flood risk. The Environment Agency have published guidance on preparing a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), Flood Risk Assessments (FRA), and climate change allowances.

Recommendation 252

Recommendation

Ensure there are properly funded and trained staff in local authorities to assess flood risk.

Response

To ensure that local planning authorities are well equipped and supported to deliver development, we are working alongside the sector to design a suite of targeted interventions to support the development of critical skills and to build capacity across local planning authorities. This includes engaging with the Environment Agency on flood risk.

In addition, we are continuing to support local authorities through the development of new digital tools that will help to make planning processes more efficient, and we have published a consultation on the Planning Fees, Capacity and Performance, which closes on 25 April 2023. An increase to planning fees will help provide additional resources to support the delivery and improvement of planning services.

Recommendation 253

Recommendation

To help improve the information on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and surface water flood risk, urgently begin collecting data on sewer capacity and SuDS location, type and capacity. This would bring the level of information in line with that for river and coastal flood risk defences.

Response

The Environment Agency is replacing its National Flood Risk Assessment tool. This will provide a new national assessment that will help places plan and adapt to future flood risk from rivers, the sea and surface water including developing and building flood defences. The tool will enable regular updates to the national flood risk assessment, allowing incorporation of improved data, including new or updated surface water modelling. Increasingly this will include sewer capacity information, providing a more robust analysis of risk from surface water.

Alongside this, wider actions will contribute towards better understanding this flood risk including:

investing £5.2 billion in flood defence schemes
implementing Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, enabling more SuDS and reducing surface water in drainage systems
development and implementation of water company Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs)

Recommendation 254

Recommendation

Implement improvements to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) framework to ensure they drive deployment of the necessary energy efficiency and low-carbon heat measures and also address overheating, ventilation, and moisture-risk. This should be done in coordination with devolved administrations.

Recommendation

To ensure that the Future Homes Standard will be fully implemented by 2025 and delivers homes with ultra-high energy efficiency standards, low-carbon heating and resilient to climate change impacts, consult on a full technical specification for the new standard in 2023 in order to allow legislation in 2024. Define clear transitional arrangements which will require any buildings which have not meaningfully commenced on site within a year of the implementation date to meet the new standards.

Response

Our intention is that homes built under the Future Homes Standard will be future proofed with low carbon heating and extremely high levels of energy efficiency. A full technical consultation on the Future Homes Standard is planned for 2023, prior to the necessary legislation being introduced in 2024 and implementation in 2025. As part of the consultation process, we will consider what transitional arrangements are appropriate.

The 2021 uplift included far more restrictive transitional arrangements, which will prevent housebuilders building to previous standards over extended periods.

Recommendation 258

Recommendation

Ensure that the Future Homes Standard requires low-carbon heating, and mitigation of overheating, in homes which are created through a material change of use to an existing building.

Response

Our intention is for the Future Homes Standard to be a holistic, outcomes-focused standard for new-build dwellings. Elements such as thermal performance, building orientation and glazing proportion can all be designed to complement each other in new homes to achieve the required levels of performance. Applying only certain parts of the standard to existing buildings where many of these design parameters are fixed would be an inappropriate application of the standard. Homes created through a material change of use are currently subject to building regulations requirements, including energy efficiency standards. We plan to keep the application of these requirements under review.

Recommendation 259

Recommendation

Consult on a full technical specification for the Future Buildings Standard in 2023. Ensure that the new standards are implemented by 2025, and will deliver new buildings which are resilient to climate change impacts, with ultra-high energy efficiency standards and low-carbon heating.

Response

Our intention is that the Future Buildings Standard will produce highly efficient non-domestic buildings which use low-carbon heat and have the best fabric standards possible, ensuring they are better for the environment and fit for the future. We intend to consult on the Future Buildings Standard in 2023, in advance of implementation from 2025.

Question 15

Recommendations 260 to 279

Accepted Answer

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

Publish the completed carbon and water management plan and the sustainability management plan that is under development. The plan should include clear pathways for reaching the Greening Government Commitment targets, switching to ultra-low emissions vehicles by 2030 and halving emissions from public buildings by 2032.

Response

DWP will publish a condensed version of its Carbon/Sustainability Management Plans in H1 2023. These set out our proposals to reduce DWP’s environment impact to meet the 2024 to 2025 Greening Government Commitments targets, and the longer-term Net Zero Carbon requirement.

Recommendation 268

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow – tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

Fiscal policy should be used (for example, taxation, quotas or a frequent flyer levy), alongside improvements in broadband, to embed positive behaviours that have arisen during the pandemic, replacing business travel with videoconferencing and online collaboration. The price of flying should be raised to the point that it acts as an effective signal to consumers that aviation has high emissions costs.

Response

Air Passenger Duty’s primary objective is to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances.

More broadly, the ‘Jet Zero Strategy’ sets out detail on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all modelled scenarios we can achieve our net zero targets by focusing on new fuels and technology, rather than capping demand, with knock-on economic and social benefits.

Recommendation 273

Recommendation

Outline a comprehensive vision to leverage private financing for the retrofit of UK homes and businesses. Plans should be designed to operate in tandem with the other enablers needed to unlock home retrofit at scale, such as better buildings data and public engagement. Financial levers to consider include green stamp duty, green mortgages, energy as a service, property-linked finance, and using the UKIB to de-risk retail investment into home retrofit.

Response

This presupposes that there is an inherent market failure that government needs to intervene on. We have already seen an impressive array of green mortgage products launched by lenders, and government is taking the steps to support this private sector innovation where the customer demand exists. There is a wide array of policy proposals listed, all of which require policy development and could be market moving.

Building on the Voluntary Carbon Markets Initiative (VCMI) consultation in summer 2022, the government should develop concrete proposals for standardising and regulating the claims corporates can make relating to offsets, for ensuring the quality and additionality of offsets on the market, and for directing carbon offsets to the highest quality and impact projects.

Response

The UK government recognises the potential role that voluntary carbon markets could play in the delivery of domestic and international net zero, noting that market integrity concerns need to be addressed to maximise this opportunity. We support work to improve the integrity of VCMs, including that of the Integrity Council on Voluntary Carbon Markets (IC-VCM) and Voluntary Carbon Markets Initiative (VCMI), both launched under the UK’s COP26 Presidency to develop international best practice.

We will consult on the specific steps and interventions needed to support the growth of high integrity voluntary markets and protect against greenwashing. This will position the UK to serve as a global hub for voluntary carbon trading.

Our work with the British Standards Institution (BSI) will also develop nature market standards for investment in carbon and other ecosystem services, building on the international best practice such as the work of IC-VCM and VCMI, as well as the experience of the UK’s Peatland and Woodland Carbon Codes.

Recommendation 278

Recommendation

Do not delay in taking steps to legislate for listed UK companies and financial institutions to publish transition plans from 2023. Publish plans for a clear transition plan standard, based on a transparent consultative process with experts, practitioners and private sector actors, and building on lessons learnt from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). It will be important to ensure the metrics and requirements are sufficiently ambitious, and where possible allow businesses to communicate their holistic contribution to the Net Zero transition, beyond direct emissions reduction.

Response

Currently the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires listed companies, as well as large asset owners and managers to disclose transition plans on a ‘comply or explain’ basis. The government commits to consulting on the introduction of requirements for the UK’s largest companies to disclose their transition plans if they have them. To ensure parity between listed and private companies, as well as to ensure requirements are consistent and comparable across the economy, we expect to consult on the basis that these requirements could align closely with those of the FCA, including the ‘comply or explain’ basis. The government will also work with the FCA to ensure transition plan requirements are delivered across the financial services sector alongside requirements for listed and private companies.

Recommendation 279

Recommendation

In the updated Green Finance Strategy expected later this year, include plans for how financial flows can be meaningfully monitored in advance of 2023, setting out key incentives for investors to shift practices, and an overall strategy for how total capital costs of Net Zero will be met by public and private funding sources.

Response

Recognising the challenges of monitoring finance flows into net zero sectors, the government has commissioned external research being carried out by Frontier Economics to consider the available investment tracking data sources and methodologies used in the UK and internationally. Following this research, we will explore the feasibility of building a bespoke UK Landscape of Climate Finance model for tracking green investment flows in the UK.

Question 16

Recommendations 280 to 299

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 280

Recommendation

In the first plan of the UK Investment Bank, due in summer 2022, give consideration for how to navigate the dual goals of the organisation (to tackle climate change and support economic growth), introduce a Net Zero test on all investments, and outline how to capture wider social and resilience benefits of investments beyond financial returns.

Response

UKIB’s first Strategic Plan sets out how they intend to deliver on against a triple bottom line: achieving policy objectives (tackling Climate Change and supporting Regional and Local Economic Growth), crowding-in private capital and generating a positive financial return.

The UKIB Framework Document and Strategic plan sets out how, where an investment is primarily to support economic growth, the Bank will ensure that it does not do significant harm against their climate objective.

As UKIB are building their capacity, they are focussing on intervening where they can make the biggest impact. In October 2022, UKIB published details on their approach to measuring the additionality of UKIB investments, including measuring harm against their climate objective, which will draw on best practice.

UKIB is developing an Environmental, Social, Resilience and Governance policy and framework. They will collect data from each investment to meet reporting standards such as the TCFD and forthcoming Sustainability Disclosure Requirements, which shall include Green Taxonomy reporting and any other relevant disclosures.

Recommendation 281

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow – tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 282

Recommendation

As part of reforms to electricity pricing, remove legacy policy costs associated with the historical deployment of less mature low-carbon electricity generation from electricity prices. These legacy costs create a market distortion.

Response

Response

HM Treasury already uses the vehicle excise duty (VED) system to encourage the uptake of EVs.

In April 2017, a reformed VED system was introduced for new cars. Under this system, zero emission models pay nothing on first registration, whilst the most polluting pay over £2,000. In subsequent years, most cars move to a standard rate, currently set at £165. The exceptions are zero emission cars which attract a £0 rate and hybrid vehicles which receive a £10 annual discount. EVs therefore pay no VED at all. From 2025 all new electric cars, vans and motorbikes will be subject to VED. This also applies retrospectively to all electric vehicles registered after 2017.

Recommendation 288

Recommendation

Develop plans for how targeted subsidies and taxation gradients will be used to support delivery of the ZEV mandate targets. These incentivise consumers to choose electric options and ensure that cost does not become a significant barrier to EV adoption.

Response

Response

Our built estate is a critical enabler for Defence capability and outputs; it is where our people live, work and train, and from where we deploy. Therefore, it is important that MOD continues the good progress we have made to decarbonise our built estate and with white fleet transition to zero emission vehicles. Key is continued development and implementation of our Estate Sustainability Strategy to plot the route to decarbonise by revising our estate policy and building standards, exploiting innovation, ensuring we have the right skills, data and strong industrial partnerships. We will also need to draw on cross-government support and draw upon external funding sources.

However, MOD does not just use energy in our buildings. Emissions are created from generating electricity to power ships alongside, air traffic and defence radars and a range of industrial processes. Therefore, the focus and pace at which defence can decarbonise is also linked to military capability and maintaining UK security.

Recommendation 292

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 293

Recommendation

Publish MoJ’s Net Zero Carbon Strategy. The strategy should include clear pathways for reaching Greening the Government Commitment targets, switching to ultra-low emissions vehicles by 2030 and halving emissions from public buildings by 2032.

Response

MoJ has developed a draft Net Zero Carbon Strategy that sets out what is required to deliver both its medium and long-term net zero targets focusing on scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions including transitioning to zero emission vehicle fleet. Subject to ministerial approval, the Strategy is due to be published in 2023 to 2024.

Although MoJ has already reduced its overall carbon emissions by 33% against a 2017 to 2018 baseline, putting MoJ on course to meet its medium-term Greening Government Commitment carbon targets (by 2025) and long-term net zero carbon (by 2050) is a significant challenge due to the operational nature of the estate and level of investment required to decarbonise MoJ’s estate.

Recommendation 294

Recommendation

For the coming 5-year period (2023 to 2028), MoJ should outline appropriate actions in the next National Adaptation Programme to address the adaptation gap identified for the risks in the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment for which it is the lead department (see 2021 Adaptation Progress Report annex).

Response

MoJ: For the period 2023 to 2028, MoJ has developed a comprehensive Adaptation Pathway to address the risk to prison services identified in the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment. The pathway, due to be published in summer 2023, will include detail of specific planned actions. This is part of a wider programme to build climate resilience across the MoJ, as set out in its Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Recommendation 295

Recommendation

Ensure all of the department’s own policy decisions, and procurement decisions, are consistent with the Net Zero goal and reflect the latest understanding of climate risks.

Response

HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance is used to appraise spending and regulatory proposals, and includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisal. This is outlined in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra Green Book supplementary guidance. HM Treasury continues to work with departments to embed Green Book best practice.

The government has set out its intention to put the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) on a statutory basis through the Procurement Bill. The NPPS sets out clear principles that contracting authorities should follow - tackling climate change and achieving net zero is one of these.

In addition, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 shows the government’s commitment to achieving net zero. Under this measure, prospective suppliers bidding for major contracts must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan that details their emissions and their organisational commitment to net zero by 2050.

Companies that fail to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan which meets these requirements risk deselection from the procurement.

Between September 2021 and the start of February 2023, the measure was applied to 129 procurements, which are valued at c.£187.5 billion over their contractual term.

Recommendation 296

Recommendation

Provide detail on how post-CAP agricultural subsidies and schemes in Northern Ireland will target incentives and delivery for climate mitigation alongside wider environmental goals such as climate change adaptation and biodiversity.

Response

The Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio for Northern Ireland sets out a framework for future policy around 4 key outcomes of increased productivity, environmental sustainability, improved resilience and an effective, functioning supply chain. Following consultation, the then Minister announced 54 policy decisions on the direction of future agricultural policy in March 2022.

The decisions included a series of actions aimed at reducing GHG emissions such as reducing numbers of older livestock; the use of feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions; breeding cattle that are more environmentally efficient; use of urease inhibitor fertilisers; timing of fertiliser and slurry applications; the establishment of grassland swards with legumes and herbs; farming for carbon; peatland rewetting, and biomethane and hydrogen production from agricultural waste. The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is providing landowners with a baseline assessment of the carbon stocks in their soils. A Farming with Nature Package will provide support for actions to increase biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

Recommendation 297

Recommendation

Long-haul air passenger duty, which is devolved to Northern Ireland, should be increased at least in line with UK-wide long-distance air passenger duty, to better reflect the climate change impact of flying.

Response

As there are currently no scheduled direct long-haul flights currently departing from NI airports, the impact of such a change in NI would be minimal. A new low-cost-Airline, Fly Atlantic, may seek to run a transatlantic route from Summer 2024.

Given our island location, NI is reliant on air connectivity for trade, tourism and investment. The Executive at the time committed to eliminate APD on direct long-haul flights from NI to maintain and develop connectivity to key markets.

The Executive supported commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050. However, due regard must be given to our unique circumstances, and where there is no equivalent APD on either short or long-haul flights in the South of Ireland.

In the context of the HM Treasury 2021 consultation on aviation tax reform, the Finance Minister wrote to the CST to set out the Executive’s concerns about the impact of APD on our connectivity.

Recommendation 298

Recommendation

Publish the Decarbonising Heat Consultation and follow on with a coherent, long-term strategy for heat and energy efficiency in Northern Ireland’s homes and other buildings; encompassing regulatory, policy and funding commitments to facilitate delivery.

Response

A consultation will be published in 2023, to develop proposals for the future of low carbon heat support to assist the transition from fossil fuels to decarbonised forms of heating that will be required to meet emission reduction targets as set out in the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022.

Recommendation 299

Recommendation

Strengthen support for and provision of schemes to support walking, cycling and public transport to reduce Northern Ireland’s high levels of car-dependence: (1) strengthen schemes to ensure access to local amenities without dependency on cars, (2) invest in infrastructure connectivity to lock in positive behavioural changes that reduce travel demand, like home-working, and (3) support the public transport and shared mobility sectors to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, including through recovery funding and positive communication and messaging.

Response

In 2021 to 2022 the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) spent £19.8 million on active travel schemes including greenways and place-making projects. A further £20 million was announced by the former Minister for active travel from the Blue Green Infrastructure Fund in 2022 to 2023 which will be used to create safer routes for those walking, wheeling or cycling and for active travel projects, such as secure cycle parking, cycle repair stations and other carbon reduction measures.

Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) has introduced hybrid working policy which recognises that the benefits of working from home and remote working are wide ranging, including better work-life balance for employees, increased productivity and environmental benefits. To support hybrid working, a number of regional Connect2 hubs opened in August 2022, enabling staff to work closer to home, reducing travel time and promoting regional economic balance. The NICS offers its employees a salary sacrifice scheme to hire and ultimately purchase a bicycle to cycle to work.

Question 17

Recommendations 300 to 319

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 300

Recommendation

Resume collecting and publishing data on vehicle-kilometres travelled by mode in Northern Ireland. This will help identify which actions are effective in encouraging modal shift away from car travel.

Response

Planning for the Future of Transport – Time for Change was published on 3 June 2021 and describes how priorities for the future of transport in NI can be supported by the improved planning, management and development of the transport networks over the next 10 to 15 years. These priorities will be incorporated into our contribution to the development of the Northern Ireland Climate Action Plan as required by the Climate Change Act for NI. Research into modal shift has also been carried out, and we conduct the Travel Survey for Northern Ireland (TSNI), which collects information on how and why people travel within NI. Due to budget constraints the Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) data has not been published in Northern Ireland since 2014. However, we will develop robust data and undertake evaluation surveys to measure the impacts on emissions.

Recommendation 301

Recommendation

Support the deployment of public charge points across Northern Ireland, to address the issue that Northern Ireland currently has the fewest EV charge points per capita of any of the UK nations.

Response

DfI support the EU INTERREG VA Funded FASTER electric vehicle network project which is expected to install 20-30 EV Rapid charging points at publicly accessible locations across Northern Ireland. DfI have provided support to local councils successful in securing funding through the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) which will be used to provide EV charging for those without access to a driveway.

Currently the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is the main provider of electric vehicle charge points in NI, but the market is also open to other providers. ESB has announced that it has been awarded £3.27 million from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) to expand and enhance the EV charging network. An Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Task-Force was established to consider our EV Infrastructure requirements and published its action plan in November 2022 to deliver a fit for purpose, modern EV charging network.

The Department of Finance is working with clients to assist them with the provision of EV charging points. On the DoF owned estate work is ongoing where clients wish to install at their locations, currently 9 chargers have been installed with others planned for future installation.

Recommendation 302

Recommendation

Publish an assessment of residual waste treatment capacity needs through to 2050, consistent with meeting committed and prospective recycling and waste reduction targets, expected resource efficiency improvements and ending the landfilling of biodegradable waste by 2028 at the latest. The findings of this review should inform future incineration/EfW capacity decisions and consider the feasibility of phasing out waste exports by 2030.

Response

Response

Ofwat’s duties, as outlined in the Water Industry Act 1991, support our work on resilience against climate change. We also carry out our work in accordance with UK and Welsh Governments’ Strategic Policy Statements which provide steers relating to net zero and climate risks. Our net zero principles paper makes clear our expectations that water companies deliver net zero in line with national government targets, reduce operational and embedded emissions, with reductions in GHG emissions prioritised Our third climate change adaptation report demonstrates our understanding of climate change risks and how we manage them organisationally and how we are enabling the sector to respond. At PR24, we are introducing performance commitments to incentivise water companies to further deliver on net zero, with companies expected to deliver long-term delivery strategies using UKCP18 projections.

We take account of HM Treasury’s Green Book and Business Case Guidance in major spending and regulatory proposals, which includes guidance for how net zero and climate risk considerations should be included in appraisals. We have been working on our internal approach to net zero and intend to include further developments including as part of a refreshed procurement strategy. We are working to the principle that any new contracts are with suppliers who are committed to carbon reduction plans to achieve net zero emissions.

Recommendation 307

Recommendation

Require and facilitate water companies and industrial wastewater facilities to measure and report on emissions, including process emissions. Funding should be made available for monitoring and research to improve process emissions measurement and mitigation.

Response

Since 2021 to 2022, Ofwat has required water companies to report on their operational GHG emissions. Our approach requires companies to report on elements of scope 1 to 3 emissions as defined by the GHG Protocol, and as detailed in the sector’s Carbon Accounting Workbook.

We recognise the challenge facing water companies in improving process emissions measurement and mitigation, with our net zero principles paper making clear our expectation companies reduce their GHG emissions. We have provided funding for monitoring and research into process emissions via our innovation fund and our ‘Green Recovery’ decisions. For our next price review, PR24, we expect companies’ plans to make substantial progress towards national government net zero targets, including by mitigating process emissions. We expect companies to deliver their net zero strategies, incentivising them through our expenditure framework and the introduction of operational GHG emissions performance commitments.

Recommendation 308

Recommendation

Work with government departments to fill the data gaps identified by CCC in the Monitoring Framework document accompanying this report.

Response

The ONS welcomes the work the CCC has undertaken to highlight gaps where required data do not yet exist.

We will look to prioritise among the gaps the ONS is the lead for. We will also use our strong bilateral links to support other government departments and bodies to help them to fill their priority gaps. Existing conversations are continuing, and new ones have begun following the Framework’s publication. We can use the range of ONS tools, such as rapid and annual surveys, data science, administrative data and data linkage to support this.

The cross-government Climate Change Project can also potentially play a useful role in collaborative closing of data gaps, including the UK Climate Change Statistics Portal (climate-change.gov.uk), which the ONS leads on, working with government stakeholders, for data and statistics dissemination. Work on DGI-3, the latest G20 Data Gaps Initiative, which ONS is engaging with, will also potentially contribute to this work.

Recommendation 309

Recommendation

Invest to progress the National Materials Datahub to track materials and products to share information on their quantity and quality for reuse and repurposing to retain materials at their highest value for as long as possible.

Recommendation

Start reporting emissions from Energy from Waste as a separate source within the Scottish greenhouse gas inventory.

Response

Official statistics on Scottish GHG emissions are published annually and used to monitor progress towards Scotland’s statutory emissions reduction targets. These statistics are based on a disaggregation of the UK GHG Inventory, which is overseen by the UK government (Department of Energy Security and Net Zero) and compiled in line with international scientific guidance. Currently, the UK Inventory does not allow for the isolation of data for emissions from waste incineration plants as opposed to other energy sector emissions.

Decisions around the UK Inventory are a matter for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and are informed by the UK National Inventory Steering Committee, which includes representation from Scottish Government officials. We are working with Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and the UK National Inventory Steering Committee to explore the potential to break down our GHG inventory reporting to provide a separate Energy from Waste source within our future publications.

Recommendation 318

Recommendation

Legislate the Circular Economy Bill and set targets to reduce waste and improve recycling rates beyond 2025, ensuring these are more ambitious than existing targets.

Response

In 2022 we consulted on both a Circular Economy Bill and Waste Route Map to 2025 and beyond. The Bill consultation included proposals to take powers to set statutory targets and the Bill will be brought forward before summer recess 2023. The Route Map consultation sets out the principles that should underpin new circular economy targets for the period to 2030 and will be published in 2023.

Recommendation 319

Recommendation

Provide detail on how post-CAP agricultural subsidies and schemes in Wales will target incentives and delivery for climate mitigation alongside wider environmental goals such as climate change adaptation and biodiversity.

Response

From 2022 to 2025, Wales’ rural investment schemes will provide £275 million of support across a range of low carbon farming measures, schemes supporting land use change alongside wider environmental goals, and sustainable food and farming supply chains aligned to the delivery of Net Zero Wales and the sustainable management of natural resources in the Environment (Wales) Act. These schemes also support the transition towards a new system of farming support in 2025. The Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals signify a further major change and will be key in supporting Welsh farmers to play a leading role in delivering a more resilient environment and a more resilient rural economy. The SFS will be the main source of funding for farmers in future and will be provided for the work farmers do to meet the challenges of the climate and nature emergencies alongside the sustainable production of food.

Question 18

Recommendations 320 to 327

Accepted Answer

Recommendation 320

Recommendation

Drawing on the recommendations of the Auditor General for Wales, publish plans for future iterations of the Warm Homes Programme to tackle fuel poverty and decarbonise homes, addressing the scheme’s reliance on fossil fuel heating and slow roll-out.

Response

A successor to the Warm Homes programme is being developed following consultation in 2022. A response to the consultation will be published alongside a policy statement in early spring.

Recommendation 321

Recommendation

Building on the plans set out in Net Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2, publish a long-term strategy, setting out a pathway up until 2050 for decarbonising buildings with key policy milestones and targets for low-carbon heating and energy efficiency roll-out. This should include policies to support low-carbon heating across all of the building stock, including how Wales will transition away from fossil fuel heating and ensure local actors are able to conduct spatial planning for heat networks.

Response

The Welsh Government is clear that in terms of retrofit, there are few simple solutions and indeed no one size fits all in terms of the housing stock in Wales. We intend to develop a comprehensive delivery plan that incorporates decarbonisation work across all housing tenures. We are committed to that plan being rooted in evidence of what works in decarbonisation and based on learning from our Optimised Retrofit Programme and other schemes.

We are currently developing both a heat strategy, which sits alongside our work on local and regional energy plans, and an integrated approach across all tenures and income levels to drive decarbonisation. Consultation and partnership working are fundamental to our approach, which will be developed over time as we develop our evidence base.

Recommendation 322

Recommendation

Publish the analysis that supports the total and sectoral pathways set out in the Second Welsh Carbon Budget.

Response

Welsh Government continues to develop its decarbonisation pathways and intends to publish more detail following the development and publication of our next statutory decarbonisation plan.

Recommendation 323

Recommendation

Deliver on the priorities set out in Llbwyr Newydd to reduce demand for higher-carbon travel. This includes:

delivering a better, more integrated, decarbonised bus system
developing a network of connected local routes for walking and cycling
investing in infrastructure connectivity to enable delivery of the ambition for 30% of the workforce to work remotely on a regular basis
supporting the public transport and shared mobility sectors to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, including through recovery funding and positive communication and messaging

Response

1. A white paper consultation on the proposals for legislative bus reform closed on 24 June 2022 with the Bill anticipated for Autumn 2023.

Set out and implement additional policies necessary to achieve waste reduction and recycling targets, as part of delivering the Beyond Recycling Strategy more broadly.

Response

Work to implement the commitments within Beyond Recycling is being progressed, with for example the final consultation on the Business, Public and Third Sector recycling reforms currently underway. A go live date for a deposit return scheme for drink containers has now been set for 2025. Efforts to tackle packaging waste outside of the deposit return scheme are being progressed through Extended Producer Responsibility reforms, these are being introduced in a phased approach from 2024.

Cookies on GOV.UK

Action in the devolved administrations

Scotland

Milestones for next 12 months:

Wales

Milestones for next 12 months:

Northern Ireland

Milestones for next 12 months:

Recommendations 1 to 19

Recommendation 1

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 2

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 3

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 4

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 5

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 6

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 7

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 8

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 9

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 10

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 11

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 12

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 13

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 14

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 15

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 16

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 17

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 18

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 19

Recommendation

Response

Recommendations 20 to 39

Recommendation 20

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 21

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 22

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 23

Recommendation

Response

Recommendation 24