Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
Net zero technology selection prioritises carbon impact over consumer needs and behaviour.
Conclusion
The Government, however, selected the 31 net zero technology areas in the Framework based on their potential carbon impact, the number of options to reach net zero and the potential for business opportunities in the UK.28 There is a risk that technology development has priority without sufficient regard being given to potential consumer needs. There is no specific programme that looks at the behavioural changes that might be needed from consumers and how to encourage them, although we were told that behavioural strategy is being funded through some of the existing programmes in the delivery plan.29 DESNZ suggested that influencing and communicating to consumers “is almost a topic in its own right”, often best done through government incentivising the private sector to engage with consumers in individual markets.30 21 C&AG’s Report, para 17; SDZ0004 22 SDZ0010 23 Q 31 24 Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, UK Innovation Strategy, July 2021, p.6; Q38 25 Qq 31, 38 26 Q 38 27 C&AG’s Report, para 17 28 HM Government, UK Net Zero Research and Innovation Framework, October 2021, p.124; C&AG’s Report, para 10 29 Qq 66–67 30 Q 65 Support for innovation to deliver net zero 11 2 Oversight of progress Responsibility for overseeing net zero innovation
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation and highlights several existing initiatives such as energy advice services, ZEV funding, and R&I programmes (Heat Pump Ready, Green Home Finance Accelerator) that already incorporate consumer interests. They also intend to further consider consumer challenges and publish an update on the Net Zero Research and Innovation Framework Delivery Plan by 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2025 3.2 The Net Zero Strategy set out six clear principles on how the government will engage the public and support them to make green choices. This includes ensuring that green choices are affordable and easier to make. 3.3 In summer 2022 government launched a comprehensive energy advice service on GOV.UK to help consumers improve the energy performance of their homes, which is supported by a phoneline and in-person advice scheme. 3.4 The government has also spent over £2 billion to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. This funding has focused on reducing barriers to the adoption of such vehicles, including offsetting their higher upfront cost and accelerating the rollout of charge- point infrastructure. 3.5 Consumer interests and the potential challenges they face are a key consideration when designing R&I programmes. For example, through the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, the Heat Pump Ready programme tests how domestic heat pumps can be made more accessible, deployable and attractive to the consumer. Similarly, the Green Home Finance Accelerator develops new consumer finance models to make the initial capital required for building energy efficiency measures more accessible. 3.6 The government will further consider consumer challenges as it reviews progress against the innovation priorities. As part of this, DESNZ intends to publish an update on the Net Zero Research and Innovation Framework Delivery Plan by the end of the current Spending Review period in 2025.