Recommendations & Conclusions
7 items
1
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
We have received compelling evidence that heat is having serious and widespread impacts on health, wellbeing and economic productivity. This is already costing the UK thousands of lives and billions of pounds annually, a situation which is set to get worse without concerted action. The social and economic case for …
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We have received compelling evidence that heat is having serious and widespread impacts on health, wellbeing and economic productivity. This is already costing the UK thousands of lives and billions of pounds annually, a situation which is set to get worse without concerted action. The social and economic case for accelerating heat adaptation measures in the UK is clear-cut.
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Government response AI summary
The government launched the new Weather-Health Alert system in June 2023, which is an impact-based alerting system developed in collaboration with UKHSA and the Met Office. UKHSA will continue to engage with academic partners to understand humidity's role in health and improve heat messaging.
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6
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
We support the extension of Part O of the Building Regulations not only to cover material changes of use to residential, but also for refurbishments of existing properties. We recommend that the Government clarify whether it is intended that Part O of the Building Regulations be expanded to refurbishments. If …
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We support the extension of Part O of the Building Regulations not only to cover material changes of use to residential, but also for refurbishments of existing properties. We recommend that the Government clarify whether it is intended that Part O of the Building Regulations be expanded to refurbishments. If that is indeed the case, we recommend that Ministers, in their response to this report, set out when, and by what mechanism, this is to be achieved. If it is not the case, we recommend that Ministers explain how the UK is to achieve Commitment M5 of the Global Cooling Pledge. (Paragraph 54) 38 Heat resilience and sustainable cooling
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights existing and recently extended funding schemes for retrofitting existing buildings, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a new local authority retrofit scheme, and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. DESNZ is also conducting research to support the development of policy levers to adapt the …
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8
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
We were pleased to note that the recent extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced by the Prime Minister in September 2023 has now been backed by additional funding for grants. The funded extension of the scheme represents a welcome move towards the long-term programme of retrofitting the existing housing …
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We were pleased to note that the recent extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced by the Prime Minister in September 2023 has now been backed by additional funding for grants. The funded extension of the scheme represents a welcome move towards the long-term programme of retrofitting the existing housing stock which we have advocated in previous reports.
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Government response AI summary
The Government welcomes recognition of the extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and outlines additional funding and schemes to support retrofitting of existing buildings, including a local authority retrofit scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and a new energy efficiency grant.
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9
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
We consider that there are further opportunities to combine existing initiatives on insulation and energy efficiency into a more ambitious and comprehensive housing retrofit programme which addresses the risks of overheating in existing properties. Such an approach, if well designed and delivered, can minimise both cost and disruption while ensuring …
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We consider that there are further opportunities to combine existing initiatives on insulation and energy efficiency into a more ambitious and comprehensive housing retrofit programme which addresses the risks of overheating in existing properties. Such an approach, if well designed and delivered, can minimise both cost and disruption while ensuring homes are energy efficient and remain comfortable to live in.
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Government response AI summary
The government has set a target of 600,000 heat pump installations annually by 2028 and launched a £5m Heat Training Grant to support 10,000 trainees by 2025. It is also investing in Regional Skills Pilots, updating apprenticeship frameworks, and aims to publish a Green Jobs …
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18
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
We recommend that in its response to this report the Government set out what progress it has made on establishing Minimum Energy Performance Standards in relation to cooling equipment since COP26; what the future trajectory for establishing such standards is; and how the Government plans to meet the 2030 deadline …
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We recommend that in its response to this report the Government set out what progress it has made on establishing Minimum Energy Performance Standards in relation to cooling equipment since COP26; what the future trajectory for establishing such standards is; and how the Government plans to meet the 2030 deadline specified in the Global Cooling Pledge. (Paragraph 90) F-gases
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Government response AI summary
The government has existing ecodesign regulations with minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for cooling products and is currently researching updates for commercial refrigeration, committing to do the same for other products in due course. It affirms plans to meet the Global Cooling Pledge's 2030 deadline …
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20
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
Effective joint working is not just desirable but essential if the impacts of heat are to be tackled in a coordinated, holistic and cost-effective way. This does not seem to be happening to a sufficient degree at present in the UK. The establishment of a Climate Resilience Board, under the …
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Effective joint working is not just desirable but essential if the impacts of heat are to be tackled in a coordinated, holistic and cost-effective way. This does not seem to be happening to a sufficient degree at present in the UK. The establishment of a Climate Resilience Board, under the auspices of the Cabinet Office and DEFRA, is potentially an important development as long as it includes representation from all relevant Government departments, agencies and other organisations, and meets sufficiently frequently. The Government should set out, in its response to this report, details of the membership of the Climate Resilience Board; how often it has met since being established; and its expected meeting schedule in 2024.
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Government response AI summary
The government fully accepted the recommendation by providing details of the Climate Resilience Steering Board's membership, stating it has met twice since October 2023 (October 2023 and January 2024), and confirming it meets at least quarterly, with the next meeting scheduled for April 2024.
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22
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sust…
Accepted
We commend the UK Government on being among the first signatories of the Global Cooling Pledge, which represents a significant step forward in terms of heat resilience and sustainable cooling, and is a welcome demonstration of international leadership in this area. In particular we note the commitment under the GCP …
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We commend the UK Government on being among the first signatories of the Global Cooling Pledge, which represents a significant step forward in terms of heat resilience and sustainable cooling, and is a welcome demonstration of international leadership in this area. In particular we note the commitment under the GCP to produce a national cooling action plan. We hope our inquiry and the findings set out in this report assist in shaping what this looks like and we remain keen to continue to work constructively with all relevant Departments on this topic. In response to this report, we expect the Government to set out a clear and achievable timetable for the introduction of a UK national cooling action plan as required by the Global Cooling Pledge. (Paragraph 102) Heat resilience and sustainable cooling 41
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, committing to develop and publish a 'cooling outlook document' as the UK's equivalent to a national cooling action plan. They anticipate its publication in the early part of the next parliament, ahead of the 2026 target.
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