The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has written to ESNZ Secretary Claire Coutinho with questions about the Government’s net zero policy, following recent announcements by the Prime Minister.
The letter sets out the committee’s concerns that Rishi Sunak has seemingly undermined gains made by previous governments and questions whether the delays in implementing certain policies will make anything cheaper for the average person.
The letter calls for clarity on the financial impact of the policy changes on the public and the Government’s analysis of the costs and benefits of delaying net zero policies.
The Committee’s letter recognises some of the positive steps announced and welcomes commitments on more onshore wind farms, more capacity to capture and store carbon, more investment in baseload energy generation that is consistent with net zero and the development of energy infrastructure.
Angus Brendan MacNeil (pictured) MP, Chair of the ESNZ Committee, said: “The cross-party consensus on driving the actions needed to combat climate change has been in place for many years, so the Prime Minister’s about-turn on policies that people and industries have long been gearing up for has understandably provoked widespread concern.
“Alarm bells are ringing over the Government’s ambitions when it comes to its environmental agenda.
“We need urgent clarity on the consequences of the new approach and reassurance that it will not derail the UK’s progress towards net zero.”
The Secretary of State is due to appear before the committee on 8 November.