UK climate adviser warns weakening net zero policy would hurt economy
8 reported
The UK’s chief climate adviser has warned that weakening the country’s net zero policy would disrupt business and damage the economy. Nigel Topping, chair of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), said U-turns are damaging to inward investor confidence and that investing in building is essential for economic growth. His comments came as the CCC published its latest report to parliament on progress toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The report found that while renewable energy and electric car adoption have gone well, heat pump take-up has lagged severely. Topping pointed to a CBI report finding the net zero economy is worth about £100bn a year to the UK, growing faster than the rest of the economy. He called on the next prime minister to “hold the course” and move faster toward renewable energy, electric vehicles, and heat pumps. The report also raised concerns about heat pump costs and noted that installations in existing homes rose only 7% this year compared to 56% the previous year.
What’s reported
Nigel Topping, chair of the Climate Change Committee, said weakening net zero policy would disrupt business and damage the economy.
Topping stated that U-turns are damaging to inward investor confidence.
The CCC published its latest report to parliament on Wednesday on progress toward net zero by 2050.
The report found renewable energy and electric car adoption have gone well, but heat pump take-up has lagged severely.
A CBI report found the net zero economy is worth about £100bn a year to the UK.
Heat pump installations in existing homes rose 7% this year compared to 56% the previous year.
Heat pumps can produce savings of about £1,200 a year for urban dwellers and £1,900 for rural homes when used with solar panels and EVs.
Topping called for breaking the link between power prices and gas costs to make heat pumps more attractive.
Key figures
Nigel Topping, chair of the Climate Change Committee (CCC)
Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit
Keir Starmer (mentioned as having resigned)
Andy Burnham (mentioned as likely successor to Starmer)
Sources: The Guardian
