Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Rejected
Paragraph: 27
Draft NNNPS requires stronger greenhouse gas emission measures for net zero alignment.
Conclusion
The draft revised NNNPS attempts to balance the Government’s 2050 net zero targets with an NSIP regime which could potentially increase greenhouse gas emissions. While the document provides guidance on assessing, mitigating, and approving the greenhouse gas emissions of schemes, these measures could be stronger to align with the pathway to net zero.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the implied recommendation to strengthen measures, stating it is not possible to provide a clear definition of acceptable residual emissions and that ministers determine this on a case-by-case basis.
Paragraph Reference:
27
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
It is not possible to provide a clear definition of when residual emissions are acceptable and when they are unacceptable, as this depends on progress with decarbonisation within the whole economy at the moment in time a development consent decision is being taken. The UK's climate change framework sets targets at the national level and it is for Government to determine how carbon reductions should best be balanced across the economy. Therefore, it is for Ministers to determine at the time they are required to grant or not grant development consent whether residual emissions are acceptable or not. This is the approach that has been taken with the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy and as such the government does not accept this recommendation.