Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted
Net Zero Innovation Board lacks decision-making authority over individual funds and policies.
Recommendation
The Net Zero Innovation Board, established in 2020, had responsibility for overseeing the development of the Framework. It now has several ongoing functions including providing strategic direction and seeking to influence spending decisions. The Board does not, however, have authority to direct decisions on the use of individual funds or policies. Since July 2022, the Board has been supported by a sub-group, the Innovation Delivery Board, comprising senior officials, which has responsibility for reviewing programme delivery, improving collaboration, and capturing and communicating successful outcomes.37 DESNZ argued that these governance structures mean government is not working towards net zero in individual silos, and that there is “more join-up on this issue than almost any other issue in government”.38
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to strengthen governance and 'join-up' between different bodies by agreeing a set of actions and responsibilities between the Sub-IRIG and the Net Zero Innovation Board by Spring 2024.
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.