Accelerating to Net Zero: CCC Progress Report and Clean Energy Superpower Mission

Tuesday 17th December 2024 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)]

Accelerating to net zero offers huge opportunities for Britain. This transition will be one of the economic opportunities of the century—a chance to create hundreds of thousands of good jobs, to drive investment into all parts of the UK and to protect the UK economy from future price shocks that reliance on fossil fuels creates. Beyond growth and energy security, the transition to a net zero economy can deliver a range of social and health benefits for people right across the UK. As we act on how we heat our homes and buildings, fuel our transport and protect our natural world, we can cut fuel poverty, clean up our air, increase access to nature and improve quality of life.

Looking beyond the UK, we also have an important role to play. For example, the UK was the first country to set legally binding carbon budgets and the first major economy to establish a net zero target in law. Now, more than 90% of the world’s economy is covered by a net zero commitment. The UK showed leadership again at COP29, where we announced that our 2035 nationally determined contribution (NDC) headline target will reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels, excluding international aviation and shipping emissions. This is an ambitious, economy-wide emissions reduction target that aligns with the recommendation of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the sixth carbon budget, set by the previous Government.

The CCC’s 2024 progress report to Parliament made clear the committee’s view that the previous Government were off track and urgent action is needed, and we take these findings seriously. That is why we are taking urgent and ambitious action, and why making Britain a clean energy superpower is one of this Government’s five missions.

In response to the CCC’s 2024 progress report, today’s publication highlights the achievements that this Government have overseen already and looks forward to upcoming actions that will be key in reducing our emissions and seizing the economic opportunities of net zero.

For example, in our first few months in office we have: lifted the de facto onshore wind ban; approved solar projects offering power of almost 2GW; launched Great British Energy; announced investments of over £20 billion in carbon capture, usage and storage, which is a new industry for Britain; delivered a record-breaking renewables auction; and set out plans to increase the energy efficiency of rented homes, in order to lift a million households out of fuel poverty.

The action taken so far and our future plans mean that this Government are acting or partially acting on all of the CCC’s 35 recommendations to the UK Government, with progress proactively being made on the CCC’s 35 recommendations for the devolved Governments.

This is just the beginning. Over the coming months we will set out the next steps for our mission, including publishing a Clean Power 2030 action plan, setting out a detailed updated plan to meet our carbon budgets, and setting the pathway to the seventh carbon budget by June 2026. These future moments will be key in delivering our pathway to net zero, bolstering growth and clean jobs, ensuring energy security, and delivering social and health benefits.

Through our mission-driven Government, we will act with much greater urgency and determination than the past. We will continue to work in partnership with businesses, trade unions, civil society and all levels of Government to seize the opportunities of action.

As required by the Climate Change Act 2008, I will place copies of today’s publication “Accelerating to Net Zero: Responding to the CCC Progress Report and delivering the Clean Energy Superpower Mission” in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS328]