Select committee: Environmental Audit Committee
Conclusion 13
First Report - The financial sector and the UK's net zero transition
Published 29 Nov 2023
Paragraph 90
Environmental Audit Committee The financial sector and the UK’s net zero transition All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
We welcome the Government’s commitment to just transition principles in its Green Finance Strategy and the inclusion of specific workstreams in the creation of the transition plan disclosure framework and implementation guidance. While the Transition Plan Taskforce acknowledges the inclusion of just transition principles within its working group and includes a definition within its guidance, we are concerned that it does not appear to include those principles explicitly within the transition framework itself, which may leave organisations with no further knowledge of how their transition plans should consider wider stakeholders.
From: Environmental Audit Committee, First Report - The financial sector and the UK's net zero transition (HC 277), paragraph 90, 29 November 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 23 February 2024 (deadline 29 January 2024).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government sets out its position on the financial sector and net zero, defending continued North Sea licensing, setting out plans for consultations on transition plans and voluntary carbon markets, and confirming a UK carbon border adjustment mechanism by 2027.
- On a date to end new North Sea licensing, it states it has "already considered fixing an end date" and "decided not to pursue this approach", citing a 2021 review and a climate compatibility checkpoint.
- On transition plans, it says its "upcoming consultation will consider the UK's approach to transition plans", including the role of the Transition Plan Taskforce's Disclosure Framework.
- On the green taxonomy, it will introduce a voluntary testing period "for at least two reporting years before considering the introduction of mandatory obligations".
- On voluntary carbon markets, it will consult on next steps and "intend[s] to publish the consultation in early 2024".