Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK’s Green Industries: Export Opportunities

Thursday 16 June 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government will continue to liberalise green trade through free trade agreements, lead outward-bound visits, and seek opportunities with partner countries.
  • The Minister plans to visit Scotland soon to discuss green energy industries such as offshore wind and hydrogen.
  • The UK has never lost a dispute under the Energy Charter Treaty provisions related to ISDS.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Climate Business & Trade
Context

The UK government has launched initiatives to support the green sector, including a clean growth programme during COP26.

Question

What steps have been taken by the Department to increase export opportunities for the UK's green industries? The Government has made significant commitments but there is always more that can be done. Are additional new initiatives planned beyond those outlined?

Answer from Mike Freer

The government will continue to liberalise green trade through free trade agreements, lead outward-bound visits, and seek opportunities with partner countries. We focus on sectors such as solar power, wind power, renewables, and smart cities where the UK leads.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide any new specific initiatives beyond those already mentioned

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Q2 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Climate Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The Minister is planning a trip to Scotland soon to discuss green energy opportunities.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with the Scottish Government about the potential for Scotland's green energy industries such as offshore wind and hydrogen, and their role in a UK trade strategy?

Answer from Mike Freer

I am planning to visit Scotland soon to discuss these matters. The Department works closely with the Scottish Government, as evidenced by recent visits such as a delegation of Azerbaijanis to Aberdeen.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on specific discussions beyond confirming future plans

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Q3 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Foreign Affairs Energy
Context

ISDS provisions in the ECT allow fossil fuel companies to sue governments attempting to decarbonise.

Question

Will the Government support efforts to remove protections for fossil fuel companies in the Energy Charter Treaty, which threaten green industries and renewable projects?

Answer from Mike Freer

The UK has never lost a dispute under these provisions. If specific issues are raised, they can be addressed; barriers related to ISDS have not been an issue when discussing with partner countries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to supporting removal of protections for fossil fuels in ECT

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Q4 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Climate Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Scottish clean hydrogen has the potential to generate £25 billion GVA and create tens of thousands of jobs by 2045.

Question

What discussions have there been about reversing the betrayal of the carbon capture scheme at Peterhead in order to capitalise on export potential for Scottish clean hydrogen?

Answer from Mike Freer

If this is such an important issue, I urge the Scottish Government to discuss it with their Minister for Energy. I look forward to our future conversation.

Not addressed: Did not address any specific discussions about reversing carbon capture scheme funding cut

How: Urged Discussion Elsewhere

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