Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what repercussions, if any, they would face for failing to comply with their obligations under the Paris Agreement.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Paris Agreement holds governments to account for their obligations through transparency and review mechanisms, which can result in reputational damage and international pressure for non-compliance. These mechanisms include the NDC Synthesis Report, which identifies progress made globally against Parties’ Nationally Determined Contributions; the Enhanced Transparency Framework, which requires Parties to report transparently on action taken and progress made; and the Global Stocktake, which requires Parties to periodically take stock of the implementation of their mitigation commitments. Additionally, Parties must provide information necessary to track progress in implementing and achieving their NDCs and participate in the facilitative multilateral consideration of progress, which involves a technical expert review. The Paris Agreement also has a mechanism to facilitate the implementation of and promote compliance with the Agreement. This is supported by an expert Committee which is non-adversarial and non-punitive.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the purpose and benefits of legally-binding climate change targets in meeting their climate change obligations and objectives; and what consideration they have given to providing (1) certainty to business and the public sector, (2) predictability to households and firms, and (3) investment incentives for low carbon and green technologies, in making their assessment.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Climate Change Act made the UK the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target. This sets our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in law.
We are committed to our targets, and by setting carbon budgets 12 years ahead, we have given both business and the public certainty on carbon budgets. This has also provided a clear framework for the private sector to invest and innovate.
There is strong public support for climate action from Government. We will continue to work with all stakeholders including businesses, local authorities, civil society and investors to meet our net zero targets.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government which energy efficiency measures are included in the "fabric-first approach to decarbonising buildings" set out in the Heat and Buildings Strategy (CP 388).
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Heat and Buildings Strategy is based on a 'fabric first' approach to decarbonising buildings by focusing on upgrading the building fabric before making changes to heating systems, to ensure the transition to low-caron heating is cost-effective and resilient.
Current schemes allow the installation of measures which improve the energy performance of a dwelling within the scope of the “Standard Assessment Procedure” (SAP) – which assesses the energy performance of dwellings. This can include measures such as solid wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, underfloor insulation, draught-proofing, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, high heat retention storage heating, low energy lighting, solar PV, solar thermal and heating controls.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that membership of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce includes representation from all parts of the energy efficiency sector, particularly with regard to insulation.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As part of their work, the Taskforce has established four working groups. These have included insulation experts.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what organisations are members of the electricity Storage Health and Safety Governance Group; and when it last met.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Electrical Storage Health and Safety Governance Group last met on 13th March 2023. Member organisations include: the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the National Physical Laboratory, the Health and Safety Executive, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, London Fire Brigade, Kent Fire and Rescue Services, the National Fire Chief’s Council, the Association For Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, the British Association of Electrotechnical Allied Manufacturers Association, the British Standards Institution, the University of Newcastle, the Institute for Engineering and Technology, the Energy Institute, and representatives from both the domestic and grid-scale energy storage industry as well as engineering consultancies.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of fires arising from solar photovoltaic panels.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Research funded by Government between 2015 and 2018 by the Building Research Establishment indicates the risk from solar PV fires is very low. Government continues to work with industry to make solar even safer and ensure best practice. In February 2023 RISCAuthority, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and Solar Energy UK published an updated Joint Code of Practice on recommendations for fire risk prevention in UK solar systems.