Net Zero review sets out recommendations

Former energy minister Chris Skidmore has published his Net Zero review, which has revealed that the UK could do more to reap the economic benefits of green growth.

The review "Mission Zero" makes a total of 129 recommendations, which cover areas such as the greater role that business can be supported to play, making better use of infrastructure and delivering more energy efficient homes. The recommendations are intended to maximise economic investment, opportunities and jobs, and at the same time, work towards achieving the legally binding targets to reach net zero by 2050.

Chair of the Net Zero Review, Chris Skidmore MP, said: "We should be proud of the lead the UK has taken in tackling climate change, having exceeded expectations so far in our race to net zero emissions by 2050. As essential as that is environmentally, it also puts us at an economic advantage globally.

"We lead in areas including clean technologies, science, manufacturing and green finance – areas that, if managed right, can lead to new jobs and strong economic growth.

"In developing this report, we have engaged with communities, economists and climate experts from across the country through more than 50 roundtables and 1800 submissions – all of which have led to the Mission Zero findings.

"My recommendations are designed to make the most of this historic opportunity, covering the length and breadth of our economy, so that people in every part of the country can reap the benefits of this both in their communities, and in their pockets."

The recommendations in the report include reviewing incentives for investment in decarbonisation, including via the tax system, and launching a Help to Grow Green campaign offering information and advice to small businesses so they can plan ahead, reforming the planning system to put net zero at its heart nationally and locally, and backing at least one Trailblazer Net Zero City, local authority and community that can work towards reaching net zero by 2030. Other recommendations are delivering energy efficient homes, including legislating for the Future Homes Standard so that no new homes will be built with a gas boiler from 2025, adopting a 10-year mission to make heat pumps a widespread technology in the UK and using infrastructure to unlock net zero, including developing a cross-sectoral infrastructure strategy by 2025 to support the building and adaptation for new green energy sources such as hydrogen to support the green economy.

Following the release of the report, business and energy secretary Grant Shapps said: "With a wealth of talent and expertise, and a track record to be proud of, the UK is well placed to ensure that tackling climate change also brings new jobs and investment for businesses and communities.

"I am grateful to Chris Skidmore – the man who signed our climate commitments into law – for his detailed report today, which offers a range of ideas and innovations for us to consider as we work to grasp the opportunities from green growth."

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