Following significant policy developments in the EU and US, the UK Government has set out a clearer policy landscape to allow the consultancy and engineering sector, and wider industry, to deliver the net zero ambitions.

On 30^th March, the UK Government released a series of documents on zero including;

A response to the Skidmore Review of Net Zero - the Government has accepted 23 of the 25 recommendations made in his report.

A response to the Committee on Climate Change’s 2022 progress report - the Government has responded to the CCC’s progress report detailing the actions its various departments will take.

The ‘Powering Up Britain’ report – the document outlines plans to scale up the UK’s energy security.

A new Green Finance Strategy – the document details the Government’s strategy to mobilise green investment.

The Net Zero Research and Innovation Framework and Delivery Plan – these documents out how the Government will use science and technology to address the challenge of meeting Net Zero.

The documents provide a step in the right direction in terms of the clarity and certainty much needed by our members. The focus on nuclear, carbon capture usage and storage, and the decarbonisation of transport are all welcome. However, questions still remain on whether these are these announcements are going to drive forward a whole systems approach in the race to meeting the UK’s 2030 and 2050 net zero targets. To achieve that, the Government needs to ensure close collaboration between Government Departments, as well as industry and wider society.

In ACE’s Policy Manifesto for 2023, published earlier this year, our members made several practical recommendations through discussions at ACE and EIC’s Climate Change Advocacy group.

The Environmental Industry Commission (EIC) is a sister organisation of the ACE, representing companies providing environmental technology and services. The EIC advocates for sustainable development, innovation, and provides a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among members.

These include recommendations on an action plan to address an increased demand for green skills, a call to ensure the UK takes a strong leadership stance, and to ensure policy clarity in relation to innovation.

The new documents this week provided the much needed direction for our members and the wider industry to work to achieve net zero. It was particularly good to see some of our Manifesto positions highlighted through the Innovation Framework and further support for green skills.

The challenge now is for the Government to stick to the policy objectives set and work together with industry and the public to achieve these milestones by the target dates. It is also vital the Government remain flexible in their whole approach ensuring that progress is consistently monitored and reflected in policy developments.

Our ACE and EIC Climate Change advocacy group is looking forward to working with and alongside Government in bringing to live its recently announced plans.”

To get involved in ACE and EIC’s Climate Change Advocacy Group, please contact Olivia Smalley

Find out more about ACE’s policy activity and EIC’s policy activity.