Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Achieving net zero will depend on people changing their habits and lifestyles, adopting new technologies,...
Conclusion
Achieving net zero will depend on people changing their habits and lifestyles, adopting new technologies, and in some cases big personal investments. For example, buying zero- emission vehicles, such as electric vehicles, instead of cars that run on petrol or diesel; changing the way they heat their homes by replacing domestic gas boilers with renewable alternatives, such as electric heat pumps; and lifestyle changes such as consuming fewer meat and dairy products. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimated in 2019 that 62% of the remaining emissions reductions will happen either through individual choices and behaviours, some of which will require the development of new technologies. But it also found that there was a disconnect between people’s concern about climate change and their understanding of what is required to achieve emissions reductions in the UK.32
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
5: PAC conclusion: Government has not adequately communicated to the general public the changes that individuals will need to make in the transition to net zero emissions. 5: PAC recommendation: The Department should, in the next 12 months, develop a public engagement strategy that sets out how communications will be coordinated. 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Ta rget implementation date: Autumn 2021 5.2 Reaching net zero will not only require changes to our energy systems with new technologies and inf rastructure, but also shifts in how we as individuals travel, what we buy and how we use energy. It will be vit al to engage the public on the challenge of, and their role in, and views on meeting our net zero target by 20 50. 5.3 In November 2020, the department launched its ‘Together for our Planet’ campaign, marking the one year to COP26 milestone. This campaign aims to raise awareness and understanding of COP26 and the work the UK is doing to combat climate change, while creating opportunities for people across the UK to participate in taking action on climate change the run-up to COP26. 5.4 Looking ahead, the government as a whole is increasing public engagement on climate action and our plans for net zero will take account of the importance of public engagement. The department agrees with the recommendation that government should set out more detail on its approach to public engagement on net zero, including how it plans to co-ordinate communications. It is planned to do so as part of the forthcoming Net Zero Strategy.