Select Committee · Environmental Audit Committee

Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies

Status: Closed Opened: 31 Mar 2022 Closed: 1 Nov 2023 25 recommendations 21 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry will examine the Government’s policies for securing energy supplies and accelerating the transition from fossil fuels. Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels … HC 109 5 Jan 2023 46 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
11 Recommendation 4th Report - Accelerating the transitio… Accepted in Part

The current ECO scheme is not delivering anywhere near the numbers of energy efficiency improvements...

The current ECO scheme is not delivering anywhere near the numbers of energy efficiency improvements it did at its peak a decade ago. The Government needs to ensure that ECO+ is properly funded to deliver hundreds of thousands if not millions of improvements every year for the remainder of this …

Government response. The government acknowledges the ECO scheme's importance and outlines the ECO4 and ECO+ schemes, with a combined budget of £2 billion from 2022-2026, aiming to upgrade homes and reduce energy bills. The Energy Efficiency Taskforce will focus on reducing energy …
15 Recommendation 4th Report - Accelerating the transitio… Accepted in Part

The promise of £6bn further funding from the Chancellor is welcome, but those in fuel...

The promise of £6bn further funding from the Chancellor is welcome, but those in fuel poverty cannot afford three winters of delay. We believe it is a false economy to hold this money back at a time when households are struggling, and the taxpayer is having to spend billions to …

Government response. The government recommitted to net zero targets through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and set an aspiration for as many homes as possible to reach EPC Band C by 2035 where cost-effective, affordable & practical. They cite …
19 Recommendation 4th Report - Accelerating the transitio… Accepted in Part

We are encouraged that the Government has now included one of the cheapest forms of...

We are encouraged that the Government has now included one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy—onshore wind—in Contracts for Difference auctions and will consult on proposed changes to national planning policy to relax the de facto prohibition that has existed for the technology since 2015. We welcome these moves, …

Government response. The Government is committed to increasing onshore wind capacity and will consult on changes to national planning policy to relax the de facto prohibition, considering how to give local authorities demonstrating support for onshore wind a greater say and ensure …
25 Recommendation 4th Report - Accelerating the transitio… Accepted in Part

If the classes of land available for ground-mounted solar are further restricted, it will make...

If the classes of land available for ground-mounted solar are further restricted, it will make it all the more imperative to mandate the widespread deployment of rooftop solar in new developments where there are appropriate south facing aspects. We recommend that the Future Homes Standard requires developers to fit solar …

Government response. The government states that its approach remains technology-neutral but that renewable energy such as solar panels are a key part of getting to net zero. It expects most developers will install solar panels or heat pumps. It will explore how …

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
12 Oct 2022 Jonathan Mills · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Vicky Dawe · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy View ↗
7 Sep 2022 Andy Samuel · North Sea Transition Authority, Dr Corinna Abesser · British Geological Survey, Dr Nina Skorupska CBE · The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), Dr Ryan Law · Geothermal Engineering Ltd, Gareth Farr · The Coal Authority, Hedvig Ljungerud · North Sea Transition Authority View ↗
20 Jul 2022 David Bunch · Shell, Linda Cook · Harbour Energy, Louise Kingham CBE · BP plc, Tessa Khan · Uplift View ↗
22 Jun 2022 Charles McAllister · UK Onshore Oil and Gas, Dale Vince OBE · Ecotricity, Graham Kellas · Wood Mackenzie, Jake Rigg · National Grid Electricity System Operator, Sonya Boodoo · Rystad Energy View ↗
8 Jun 2022 Dr Steve Pye · UCL Energy Institute, Lisa Fischer · E3G, Michael Lewis · E.ON UK, Paul Spence · EDF Energy, Silje Ask Lundberg · Oil Change International, Will Webster · Offshore Energies UK View ↗

Correspondence

6 letters
DateDirectionTitle
23 Mar 2023 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zer…
5 Jan 2023 To cttee Letter from the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, dated 22…
5 Jan 2023 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Executive Director of the International Energy Age…
3 Nov 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Climate, Department for Business, Energy …
12 Oct 2022 To cttee Letter from the North Sea Transition Authority Chief Executive, relating to iss…
20 Jul 2022 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy…