Climate Change Committee 2023 Progress Report 2023-09-19
2023-09-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Climate Change Committee published its 2023 Progress Report in June, assessing the UK Government's policies on climate change.
What assessment has been made of the implications for her Department's policies of the Climate Change Committee's 2023 Progress Report to Parliament?
I am grateful for the work of the Climate Change Committee, and I pay tribute in particular to the commitment of its outgoing chair, Lord Deben. The Government will respond to the committee's report in October.
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Assessment & feedback
The response avoids specifics about the implications on departmental policies and actions requested by the MP, instead mentioning a future planned response without details.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The Climate Change Committee's latest report highlighted that only nine out of fifty key indicators showed the UK was on track with its climate policies, while Energy UK forecasted slower growth in low-carbon electricity generation compared to other major economies.
According to the latest Climate Change Committee report, just nine out of 50 key indicators were on track. Energy UK also forecast slow growth in low-carbon electricity generation before the offshore wind auction. Does the Minister recognise that this failure has cost every family £180 in higher bills?
Our climate leadership is measurable and real. We have reduced emissions by more than any other major economy since 1990. We were the first to legislate for net zero, eliminating coal, which produced nearly 40% of electricity supply in 2012, and we lifted renewables from 7% to 48%. We are leading on this issue internationally and domestically.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister does not acknowledge the financial impact or recognise the failure mentioned by the MP; instead focuses on past achievements.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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The Climate Change Committee report highlighted a potential increase in UK's reliance on foreign technology and materials, specifically mentioning China.
Does my right hon. Friend accept that one consequence of the Climate Change Committee report is to increase our country's reliance on Chinese technology and raw materials?
China has even greater offshore wind capacity than ourselves—it has the largest wind and largest solar capacity in the world—and it has a significant level of production. We recognise that we will need technology from all over the world, including China, if we are to meet our net zero aspirations.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The Climate Change Committee highlighted weak policy signals, uncertainty, and investment barriers. UK investors representing £1.5 trillion in assets warned about potential job losses if these issues are not addressed.
According to the report, private sector progress on climate change is hindered by policy weaknesses, uncertainty, and investment hurdles. Investors wrote to the Prime Minister warning of 1.7 million job losses due to this. Will the Government listen to investors and advisers, look at US interventions, and bring forward a UK version of the Inflation Reduction Act?
Yet another unfunded spending commitment from the Labour party—the party that left us with less than 7% of our electricity coming from renewables and reliant on coal; a party that wants to nationalise the industry, driving out companies transforming the North Sea basin. The Labour party is the biggest enemy of net zero.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy