Net Zero Review: UK Could Do More To Reap Economic Benefits Of Green Growth

The UK’s leadership on tackling climate change has delivered real change at home and led to a global transformation – but more should be done to reap the economic benefits that presents, Chris Skidmore has stated.

Mission Zero, his Net Zero Review, makes 129 recommendations covering areas including the greater role that business can be supported to play, making better use of infrastructure and delivering more energy efficient homes.

Everyone is designed to maximize economic investment, opportunities and jobs – all while working towards achieving legally binding targets to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Net Zero Strategy

We should be proud of the lead the UK has taken in tackling climate change"

Chris Skidmore urges ministers to grasp the ‘historic opportunity’, highlighting how the government’s Net Zero Strategy offers the right direction, and the right policies to do so.

Chair of the Net Zero Review, Chris Skidmore MP, said: “We should be proud of the lead the UK has taken in tackling climate change, having exceeded expectations so far in our race to net zero emissions by 2050. As essential as that is environmentally, it also puts us at an economic advantage globally. We lead in areas including clean technologies, science, manufacturing and green finance – areas that, if managed right, can lead to new jobs and strong economic growth.”

Mission Zero findings

Chris Skidmore adds, “In developing this report, we have engaged with communities, economists and climate experts from across the country through more than 50 roundtables and 1800 submissions – all of which have led to the Mission Zero findings. My recommendations are designed to make the most of this historic opportunity, covering the length and breadth of our economy, so that people in every part of the country can reap the benefits of this both in their communities, and in their pockets.”

Business and Energy Secretary - Grant Shapps said: “With a wealth of talent and expertise, and a track record to be proud of, the UK is well placed to ensure that tackling climate change also brings new jobs and investment for businesses and communities. I am grateful to Chris Skidmore – the man who signed our climate commitments into law – for his detailed report today, which offers a range of ideas and innovations for us to consider as we work to grasp the opportunities from green growth.”

Chris Skidmore’s proposals include:

• Backing business – These include reviewing incentives for investment in decarbonization, including via the tax system, and launching a Help to Grow Green campaign offering information and advice to small businesses so they can plan ahead.
• Backing local action – These include reforming the planning system to put net zero at its heart nationally and locally, and backing at least one Trailblazer Net Zero City, local authority and community that can work towards reaching net zero by 2030.
• Delivering energy efficient homes – Including legislating for the Future Homes Standard so that no new homes will be built with a gas boiler from 2025, adopting a 10-year mission to make heat pumps a widespread technology in the UK.
• Using infrastructure to unlock net zero – Including developing a cross-sectoral infrastructure strategy by 2025 to support the building and adaptation for new green energy sources such as hydrogen to support the green economy.

Increasing jobs in low carbon businesses and supply chains

The comprehensive review by Chris Skidmore MP provides an agenda for action"

Official statistics show there are already around 400,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains across the United Kingdom (UK), with turnover estimated at £41.2 billion in 2020. Both the British Energy Security Strategy and Net Zero Strategy aim to leverage an additional and unprecedented £100 billion of private investment, while supporting an additional 480,000 British jobs by 2030.

Russell Dean, Residential Product Group Director, Mitsubishi Electric, said “The comprehensive review by Chris Skidmore MP provides an agenda for action. Government should use this as a springboard to boost decision making towards decarbonizing Britain and making Net Zero a reality. The Review’s recommendations are clear. Heat pumps are the future. A concerted effort is needed to drive their adoption across Britain.”

Decarbonizing Britain and making Net Zero a reality

Russell Dean adds, “With decisive government support, certainty can be given to industry to invest further in heat pumps, encourage installers to train, and households to switch to heat pumps and achieve energy savings. The Review was called for to show that reaching Net Zero is pro-business and pro-growth. The Review clearly answers that it is.”

He continues, “With continued support for schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Home Energy Scotland Scheme to insulate homes, choosing heat pumps and reducing energy use, attaining Net Zero is also pro-households.”