Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Sixth Assessment Report

Tuesday 18 April 2023 · 6 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government welcomes the IPCC's sixth assessment report published on March 20, 2023.
  • The UK government is working to increase community support for onshore wind projects.
  • The government is spending 12.5 billion to improve energy efficiency in privately rented properties.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Climate
Context

The IPCC published a report on March 20, 2023 assessing global climate impacts.

Question

What assessment has the government made of the implications for their policies of the sixth assessment report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, which was published on March 20, 2023?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We welcome the IPCC's latest report. It concludes that carbon dioxide levels were at their highest point in 2 million years in 2019, and rapid changes have occurred leading to adverse effects. The report also states that deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would lead to a discernible slowdown in warming within 20 years but risks are increasing with each increment of warming.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide any specific policy commitments or actions based on the IPCC report's findings.

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Q2 Lyn Brown Lab
Climate Energy
Context

There is widespread public support for onshore wind as a renewable source of electricity. The government opposes this despite polls showing public backing.

Question

The Government has been opposing onshore wind to appease the views of their Back Benchers, but 20 to 1 people support it due to the cost of living crisis and gas prices. How can the Government justify acting in the interests of a very small minority?

Answer from Graham Stuart

Our largest single source of renewables is onshore wind and we are working hard to make sure that we come forward with proposals that have community support. Just 7% of our electricity came from renewables in 2010; it is now about half.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address the question of justifying opposition to onshore wind.

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Q3 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Climate Energy
Context

The UK Parliament declared a climate emergency, yet four years later the Government are still not addressing fuel poverty effectively.

Question

Four years after declaring a climate emergency, what will the government do to bring all privately rented properties up to an A, B or C rating as soon as humanly possible?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We need to go further and faster. That is why we are spending £12.5 billion and have set up a dedicated energy efficiency taskforce.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify how all privately rented properties will be brought up to an A, B or C rating.

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Q4 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Climate Energy
Context

Developers of the Rosebank oilfield will receive billions in tax breaks, which could undermine climate targets.

Question

If the Government allow the Rosebank oilfield off the Shetland Islands to go ahead, it will blow the UK's climate targets. The UN Secretary-General and leading scientists are against new oil and gas. Is it not time for the Minister to rule out Rosebank?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We will be using oil and gas for decades to come as we move to net zero. It is estimated that we will require about a quarter of the gas we use today in 2050, so bringing it from abroad would mean much higher emissions than domestic production.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a direct commitment to ruling out Rosebank oilfield development.

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Q5 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Climate Energy
Context

British businesses are calling for more support in decarbonising industry, but the government's recent announcements have been weak.

Question

There are 23 clean steel projects across Europe but none in the UK. Forty electric battery factories in Europe are planned by 2030 with only one in the UK. All the Government offered on their “green day” was carbon capture and storage re-announcements. Why are they failing to help industry decarbonise?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We will push forward with a £240 million fund for hydrogen and £20 billion of investment in carbon capture. These are measures needed to decarbonise British industry, making us global leaders in this field.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address why there is no new funding for decarbonising industry beyond re-announcements.

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Q6 James Gray Con
Science & Technology
Context

The UK has a strong history in polar science, but the Environmental Audit Committee found that the British base near the north pole is only manned part-time.

Question

One of the best ways to contribute to achieving IPCC targets is through outstanding British Arctic science. Is it not time we had a permanent research base at Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard?

Answer from Graham Stuart

I do not believe this strictly comes under my portfolio, but I will ensure others on the Treasury Bench are aware of these remarks made by my hon. Friend regarding British Arctic science and polar science.

Not addressed: The answer does not address whether it is time for a permanent research base.

How: Referral To Other Departments

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