Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 12th September 2017 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

1. What steps he is taking to ensure the accuracy of carbon emission measurements.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Claire Perry)]

The UK’s measurement of carbon emissions is considered among the best in the world, with a 97% accuracy rate. Indeed, our inventory of carbon emissions is among the world’s most comprehensive, covering all sectors of the economy. However, we are always looking to improve our accuracy in this area, and that work is guided by the National Inventory Steering Committee, which meets twice a year.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

Excellent! Are we on track to meet our fourth carbon budget from 2023 to 2027?

[Claire Perry]

I hope that my right hon. Friend will also consider excellent the fact that we overachieved against our first carbon budget to 2012 and that we are on track to over-achieve by 5% and 4% respectively against our second and third carbon budgets. However, I am afraid that he is being his usual mischievous self in asking about the fourth carbon budget, which is something that I shall be talking more about when we launch our clean growth strategy, so he will have to be patient just a little bit longer.