Tory MP and chair of the Net-Zero Review, Chris Skidmore, has launched a call for evidence to enable people across the UK to share their perspective on how the country can reduce carbon emissions in a way that will benefit the economy.
Speaking on Thursday at the Business Green Net-Zero Festival in London, Skidmore announced a month-long call for evidence, offering members of the public, business leaders and local councils to come forward and share their views on the move toward a green economy.
The call for evidence is the first phase of a three-month review which explores how the ‘Net-Zero by 2050’ target can be met in a way that shores up energy security, stimulates growth and is fundamentally affordable for businesses and individuals.
In giving evidence, people will be able to put forward their opinions on a plethora of aspects, such as how daily life will be affected by reducing their carbon footprint, the means of paying for the net-zero transition, and what can be done to ensure it benefits the economy.
There will also be views heard on how individuals and businesses can be better guided and supported to reduce emissions, as well as some of the common barriers standing in the way of decarbonisation.
Skidmore said: “Everyone in the country has a stake in the UK’s transition to net-zero. It doesn’t matter if you live in Argyle or Aberystwyth, Carlisle or Canterbury, our lives will need to change, whether that means the way we travel to work, heat our homes or run our factories.
“The decisions and actions we take today will impact consumers, employees and businesses alike, in cities, town and rural communities all over the country. That’s why I want to hear the views of as many people as possible over the next month.
“I want to ensure that net-zero isn’t just viewed as the right thing to do for our environment, but becomes an essential driver of economic growth – and a win-win for Britain and the world.”
The legally binding target for the UK government to reach net-zero by 2050 has been in place since 2019, but the current Net-Zero Review has been brought following the concerns raised around energy security since Russia’s military incursion on Ukraine shocked supply chain and markets earlier this year, resulting in rising prices and exacerbated inflation.
These factors have been major drivers of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and Skidmore’s three-month review aims to address this by identifying ways to abide by the UK’s longer-term climate goals while guaranteeing energy security, helping business and growing the economy.
The review’s goal is to identify the most economically efficient route to net-zero by 2050, while driving innovations, inciting investment, increasing export opportunities and generating more green jobs in Britain.
Since 1990, the UK has reduced emissions by 44 per cent and grown the economy by 76 per cent, a faster decarbonisation process than any other nation in the G7, the government says.
Official statistics indicate that roughly 400,000 jobs in low-carbon businesses and their supply chains have been generated in the UK, with turnover estimated at £41.2 billion in 2020.
Both the British Energy Security Strategy and Net-Zero Strategy also aim to leverage an additional £100 billion of private investment, which will support another 480,000 British jobs by 2030.
Following the review, Skidmore will present a series of recommendations to ministers before the end of 2022 so that government can begin to hasten progress toward the net-zero transition by honing in on key economic opportunities.
Skidmore’s recommendations put before government will be compiled from the views put forward by consumers, investors, business leaders, energy experts, transport gurus, and others.
The first roundtable event for the review will take place today (Friday, September 30), organised by the Aldersgate Group. More meetings will be scheduled across the UK over the coming weeks.
Readers looking to submit a response to the call for evidence can do so here.
