Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
4th Report - Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 109
Published 5 January 2023
Recommendations
11
Accepted in Part
The current ECO scheme is not delivering anywhere near the numbers of energy efficiency improvements...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 demand by 15% by 2030.
15
Accepted in Part
Para 76
The promise of £6bn further funding from the Chancellor is welcome, but those in fuel...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 current investments and planned ECO+ scheme, but do not commit to bringing forward the £6bn of funding.
19
Accepted in Part
Para 90
We are encouraged that the Government has now included one of the cheapest forms of...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 that local communities benefit from any projects developed. However, they do not explicitly commit to a clear ambition to expand generating capacity from onshore wind by 2035, only stating that they are working across government to deliver a net zero energy system to achieve power decarbonisation by 2035.
25
Accepted in Part
Para 119
If the classes of land available for ground-mounted solar are further restricted, it will make...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 it can continue to drive onsite renewable electricity generation, such as solar panels, where appropriate in new homes and buildings.