Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 10
10
The Government must also re-double its efforts to lead a joined-up approach to net zero...
Recommendation
The Government must also re-double its efforts to lead a joined-up approach to net zero with local authorities, business and citizens. Central to this is improved, co- ordinated policymaking across Whitehall. The inadequacy of cross departmental coordination across Whitehall in delivering net zero has been brought into sharp focus in the context of the UK’s Presidency of COP26, and increased focus on and scrutiny of Government policy and activity in the run up to the conference itself in November 2021. Cross-departmental co-ordination will be the focus of our new inquiry into Net Zero Governance. (Paragraph 52) 22 Climate Assembly UK: where are we now?
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government must also re-double its efforts to lead a joined-up approach to net zero with local authorities, business and citizens. Central to this is improved, co- ordinated policymaking across Whitehall. The inadequacy of cross departmental coordination across Whitehall in delivering net zero has been brought into sharp focus in the context of the UK’s Presidency of COP26, and increased focus on and scrutiny of Government policy and activity in the run up to the conference itself in November 2021. Cross-departmental co-ordination will be the focus of our new inquiry into Net Zero Governance. (Paragraph 52) 48. Placing climate at the centre of government decision-making is vital to ensuring the UK remains on track to achieving net zero emissions. The Government is aiming to take a whole systems approach to reaching net zero by 2050. This means considering policy areas and economic sectors as parts of an interconnected system, where changes to one area directly or indirectly impact others. 49. BEIS has established robust governance structures, including a team dedicated to Net Zero governance, and works closely with Cabinet Office and the centre of Government on the net zero agenda to ensure that net zero is factored into key policy decisions and future plans. 50. Our governance is a critical way that we understand the links between net zero and other priorities. In the last two years, the Government has made important commitments to significantly strengthen the governance around net zero. Two Cabinet committees were established in 2020 to rationalise climate governance and put the climate at the heart of government decision-making. This is driven first and foremost by the Prime Minister, who chairs the Climate Action Strategy Committee (CAS)—the body responsible for the UK’s overarching climate strategy. There is also the Climate Action Implementation Committee which is chaired by the COP President Designate and supports the CAS by driving forward delivery of key decisions and implementation of this strategy. 51. The NAO published a review of how Government is delivering net zero in December 2020. It acknowledges that there has been significant progress on governance and other internal Government process—and that this reflects the high priority that is given to Net Zero.