Merlin Hyman, our chief executive, responds to the Climate Change Committee’s Progress Report to Parliament.
Today’s assessment from the Climate Change Committee has laid bare the gap between the government’s climate ambition and the painfully slow pace of decision making on key policies to phase out use of fossil fuels.
In the run up to hosting COP26 in November the UK’s opportunity to show global leadership and unleash a green jobs revolution is now being put at risk. Regen is calling for urgent progress on policies including:
- A transformational Heat and Buildings strategy including: a clear end date on new fossil fuel heating systems; fixing distortion of levies on (low carbon) electricity bills instead of high carbon gas and oil; and long term incentives to help householders upgrade their homes.
- A laser-like focus on the transition to a zero carbon power system including: backing wind and solar with an ambitious round of Contracts for Difference; a clearer zero carbon remit for Ofgem and the System Operator; and investment in preparing our energy networks for EV charging, heat pumps and decentralised renewable generation.
- Devolution of net zero powers and funding to cities and regions to enable solutions that work for local people and places