Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sustainable cooling
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 279
Published 31 January 2024
Recommendations
2
Deferred
Incorporate explicit humidity level messaging into Met Office and UKHSA weather forecasts and heat alerts.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Met Office and UKHSA incorporate explicit messaging and/ or metrics regarding the effects of humidity levels as well as temperature into weather forecasts and heat-health alerts. (Paragraph 20) The urban heat island effect and nature-based solutions
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government discusses its recognition of green infrastructure benefits, responsibility of local authorities for urban green spaces, and keeping green roof incentives under review, without addressing the recommendation for explicit humidity messaging in weather forecasts.
3
Rejected
Para 35
Nature-based solutions are crucial for cooling, but the green infrastructure framework lacks wide implementation.
Recommendation
Nature-based solutions to climate change, such as parks, trees, water bodies and green infrastructure, have significant cooling effects as well as multiple co-benefits (for example, for health, wellbeing, air quality, flood resilience and biodiversity). Increasing the amount of green space …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the benefits of green infrastructure but states that primary responsibility for expanding urban green space lies with local authorities and declines to mandate the Green Infrastructure Framework. It references existing funds but rejects central intervention or mandating action.
4
Deferred
Expand urban green space by requiring local authorities to protect green spaces and use framework.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government take action to expand urban green space, particularly in disadvantaged areas. At a minimum these actions ought to include: (i) introducing a statutory requirement on local authorities to protect green space; (ii) mandating local authorities …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states it is running a call for evidence on Part O of the Building Regulations, specifically regarding its application to material changes of use, to inform future reviews and updates. This does not address expanding urban green space, statutory requirements for protection, mandating the Green Infrastructure Framework, or incentivising green roofs.
5
Deferred
Para 48
Evaluate amending Building Regulations Part L to encourage greater use of ceiling fans.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government evaluate the case for amending Part L of the Building Regulations to encourage the use of ceiling fans (for example, by including locally controlled air movement in the definition of comfort).
Government Response Summary
The government is running a call for evidence on Part O of the Building Regulations to understand omissions or issues, which will inform future updates. This response does not address evaluating the case for amending Part L to encourage the use of ceiling fans.
6
Accepted
Clarify Government intention to expand Building Regulations Part O to cover property refurbishments.
Recommendation
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 …
Read more
Government Response 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 UK's building stock for thermal comfort.
7
Rejected
Para 56
Mandate post-occupancy evaluation for all measures taken under Building Regulations Part O.
Recommendation
We recommend that measures taken under Part O should be subject to post-occupancy evaluation within the first year of their installation.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation for post-occupancy evaluation under Part O, stating there are no current plans for its inclusion. However, they are seeking feedback through a call for evidence on potential omissions or issues, which may inform future updates.
10
Accepted in Part
Para 67
Establish a comprehensive national retrofit programme to adapt UK housing stock for net zero and comfort.
Recommendation
We therefore recommend that the Government establish a comprehensive national retrofit programme to adapt the UK’s housing stock for both net zero and thermal comfort. The programme should include the following elements to maximise its impact and minimise costs: • …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepted the recommendation, detailing existing progress, the extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and a £6 billion support package, including £500 million for a new local authority retrofit scheme. They also highlighted a research programme to support the development of policy levers for adapting building stock for net zero and thermal comfort.
11
Deferred
Para 68
Respond to consultation and rapidly introduce proposals for low-cost home energy improvement finance.
Recommendation
We urge the Government to respond as soon as possible to its consultation on improving home energy performance through lenders which closed in February 2021. Ministers must rapidly bring forward proposals to encourage access to low-cost finance for householders to …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government plans to respond to the consultation in 2024. It highlights an existing 'Green Home Finance Accelerator programme' which is supporting the development and piloting of green finance products until March 2025 to inform future policy, rather than rapidly bringing forward new proposals.
12
Deferred
Para 69
Publish all interim or draft recommendations made by the Energy Efficiency Taskforce.
Recommendation
We further recommend that the Government publishes any interim or draft recommendations made by the Energy Efficiency Taskforce before it was disbanded.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses UKHSA's position on cooling centers, noting difficulty in evaluating their impact and an absence of specific recommendations for their use, while highlighting a toolkit for local organizations to deliver and evaluate warm spaces and ongoing review of evidence. This does not address publishing Energy Efficiency Taskforce recommendations.
13
Deferred
Set out targets for growth in competent retrofit installer supply chain or establish ambitious new ones.
Recommendation
We urge the Government to set out, in its response to this report, the targets (if any) which Ministers have set for growth in the supply chain of competent retrofit installers, and the progress made against these targets to date. …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states DESNZ will continue engaging with the Electricity System Operator and Ofgem on modelling developments and updating electricity demand forecasting, without addressing targets for retrofit installer supply chain growth or progress against such targets.
14
Rejected
Para 75
Launch a Minister-led public information campaign on heatwave threats and human health impacts.
Recommendation
While sources of accurate, reliable and helpful guidance on dealing with extreme heat do exist, this information does not appear always to be reaching everyone who needs it, leading to avoidable health harms. We raised this issue in our 2018 …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to launch a new Minister-led public information campaign, arguing that general campaigns may be less effective. Instead, they highlighted ongoing significant progress in publishing guidance and coordinating existing messaging with partners, focusing on vulnerable groups and tailored communications.
15
Deferred
Trial the naming of heatwaves for 2024 to enhance public recognition of severe events.
Recommendation
The naming of heatwaves could assist in helping the public to recognise such extreme weather events as a threat to health and wellbeing in the same way as named storms. We recommend that the Met Office trial the naming of …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states Defra is reviewing unspecified regulations to achieve greater emissions savings for net zero targets, with proposals to be consulted upon. This response does not address the recommendation to trial the naming of heatwaves.
16
Deferred
Evaluate cooling centre effectiveness and publish advice for authorities supporting vulnerable populations during extreme heat.
Recommendation
While there is potential for cooling centres to be an important part of future resilience measures for those most vulnerable to heat impacts, evidence of their effectiveness is not clear cut at present. We recommend that UKHSA evaluate the potential …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government deferred the recommendation, stating that evidence on the efficacy of cooling centres is currently limited, which constrains the development of policy advice. UKHSA will work with research partners to address these evidence gaps and continue to review literature on cool space effectiveness.
17
Acknowledged
Para 86
Incorporate future electricity demand for cooling purposes into all system operator scenario planning.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Future System Operator make specific provision for the likely future demand for electricity for cooling purposes in all its future scenario planning.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating that DESNZ will continue to engage with the Electricity System Operator and Ofgem to explore appropriate updates to electricity demand forecasting, including for cooling purposes.
18
Accepted
Require Government to set out progress on cooling equipment Minimum Energy Performance Standards and 2030 Global Cooling Pledge plans.
Recommendation
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; …
Read more
Government Response 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 for MEPS.
19
Deferred
Evaluate merits of introducing a cooling equipment takeback scheme to minimise F-gas leakage.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government evaluate the merits of introducing a takeback scheme in England to improve disposal practices regarding cooling equipment, thereby helping to minimise F-gas leakage, with a view to introducing a pilot takeback scheme in England and …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government deferred the recommendation, stating that Defra is reviewing the F-gas Regulation and will consult on proposals for changes in due course, rather than specifically committing to evaluate and pilot a takeback scheme now.
20
Accepted
Para 99
Require Government to publish details on Climate Resilience Board membership, meetings, and 2024 schedule.
Recommendation
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 …
Read more
Government Response 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.
21
Rejected
Appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience to drive coordinated cross-government action effectively.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience to act as a focal point and drive forward coordinated action across government departments, local government, community sector stakeholders and the private sector in this area. (Paragraph 100) …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience, stating that existing Lead Government Department structures and Defra's Minister for Nature already provide the necessary coordination and oversight for climate adaptation.
22
Accepted
Require Government to publish a clear timetable for the UK national cooling action plan.
Recommendation
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 …
Read more
Government Response 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.
Conclusions (3)
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 17
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 …
Government Response 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.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 65
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 …
Government Response 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.
9
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 66
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 …
Government Response 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 Plan in the first half of 2024 to support workforce demands for Net Zero.