MPs claim government’s net zero approach lacks ‘strategic direction’

The government’s approach to decarbonising residential heating lacks clear direction and current policies are not of the scale necessary to help meet the UK’s 2050 net zero target, says the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee in a report published today.

The report urges the government to bring forward a heat decarbonisation sector deal to help develop low carbon heating technologies, scale up the heat pump market to meet the target of 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, and provide support to gas boiler engineers who will be needed to re-skill to undertake this work.

The report states the government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy did not set out how heat decarbonisation targets will be met and what contingencies are in place if the target is missed.

The report calls on the government to come forward with a public awareness campaign to explain to the public how their heating systems in their homes will change and the potential costs and benefits of this transition.

Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said: “Replacing gas boilers is a huge task and we are not making anywhere near enough progress. As it stands, we will miss our net zero target. The government must act urgently to help speed up delivery and support bill payers and workers who will be affected by the change.

“Decarbonising heat in our homes will require engineers who know how to install low carbon heating systems in every community across the country. The government should work with industry and trade unions to support a low carbon heating apprenticeship programme and ensure existing workers get access to re-skilling courses that will support their transition to the new green jobs of the future,” he went on.”

The committee welcomes the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced in the Heat and Buildings Strategy and makes a series of recommendations to ensure the success of the scheme, including focussing public funds on lower income households and partnering with industry and trade unions to create jobs and training pathways.

The report also makes a number of recommendations relating to heat networks, the Future Homes Standard, targeted financial support for the fuel poor and vulnerable customers, and on consumer protection.

A government spokesperson said in response to the report: “Our landmark Heat and Buildings Strategy provides a clear and comprehensive plan for cutting emissions from the UK’s homes, with plans to incentivise people to install low-carbon heating systems in a simple, fair and cheap way, including £5,000 grants for heat pumps.

“With industry we are aiming for big cost reductions of between a quarter and a half by 2025 as the heat pump market expands and technology develops.

“In total, we’re investing £6.6 billion this parliament to decarbonise our buildings, saving people money on their bills and slashing pollution in the process.”