Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Acknowledged need for clearer oversight and bridging research to commercialisation gap.
Recommendation
Both DSIT and DESNZ recognised however that there is more to do to oversee performance across the portfolio of activities. DESNZ acknowledged that “we are not at the finished article yet”.39 DSIT and HM Treasury told us that oversight of innovation is done at the project level through peer-level and project-level reviews with experts who understand the field.40 DESNZ agreed that it would be sensible to have a clearer lead for each of the seven technology categories in the Framework. DESNZ also agreed there is a boundary between the research and innovation and the deployment and commercialisation and that 31 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 32 C&AG’s Report, para 2.9 33 Qq 30, 32 34 Qq 10, 13, 30 35 C&AG’s Report. para 2.9 36 Qq 30, 33; C&AG’s Report, para 16 37 C&AG’s Report, para 2.11 38 Q 33 39 Qq 31, 32, 45 40 Qq 11, 14, 43 12 Support for innovation to deliver net zero they need to do everything they can to “bridge that boundary”. Addressing this would make sure there is “join-up” from research and innovation through to demonstration project and commercialisation within the overarching governance.41 Judging the success of net zero innovation
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to improve portfolio performance oversight and 'join-up' from research to commercialisation, committing to agree a set of actions and responsibilities between the Sub-IRIG and NZIB 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.