Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Effective collaboration among many organisations is crucial for successful net zero innovation.
Recommendation
DESNZ has responsibility for net zero policy, while DSIT has responsibility for supporting research and innovation and creating the underlying conditions to support success.31 Many different organisations are involved in supporting innovation, both public and private, ranging from the research funding bodies such as UKRI through to policy teams, regulators and others creating the right environment to support market deployment. All of these organisations, working with research groups and businesses will need to work together effectively to accelerate the delivery of viable technologies and other solutions to market.32
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits that a set of actions and responsibilities will be agreed between the Net Zero Integrated Review Implementation sub-Group and the Net Zero Innovation Board to strengthen governance around cross-government progress on net zero technologies by Spring 2024. This will include identifying interdependencies and mitigating challenges.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2024 4.2 DESNZ has overall responsibility in government for the UK’s net zero target and ensuring the whole of government works effectively to achieve it. The government has established arrangements for coordinating the main departments including the Domestic and Economic Affairs (Energy, Climate and Net Zero) Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for considering matters relating to energy and to the delivery of the UK’s domestic and international climate strategy. 4.3 Officials in DESNZ work with counterparts across government to coordinate action and manage cross-departmental risks and to ensure net zero is embedded in government policy and decision-making. The setting of common goals is also achieved through Outcome Delivery Plans, and the sector specific public commitments in the recent Net Zero Growth Plan, help to drive accountability for achieving net zero in each leading department. 4.4 For overall net zero delivery governance, the Net Zero Integrated Review Implementation sub-Group (sub-IRIG) comprises senior officials from across government with responsibility for establishing and implementing a cross-government net zero delivery strategy. 4.5 The Net Zero Innovation Board (NZIB), chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser with representatives from across government, is responsible for providing coordinated and strategic oversight on net zero R&I programmes and ensuring alignment with government priorities. 4.6 A set of actions and responsibilities between the Sub-IRIG and NZIB will be agreed to strengthen governance around the end-to-end cross-government progress on net zero technologies. This will include identifying key interdependencies between R&I programmes and wider net zero policy, regulation and investment, and mitigating challenges as they are identified.