Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Net Zero Target

Tuesday 21 May 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We are on track to reach net zero by 2050 and have overachieved on our third carbon budget by 15%.
  • My Department is in regular contact with the Department for Transport and the Treasury on aviation decarbonisation.
  • We have made remarkable progress in renewable energy and are on track to overshoot our fourth carbon budget.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con
Climate
Context

The government has a 2050 net zero target.

Question

What progress have we made on reaching the Government's 2050 net zero target?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We are on track to reach net zero by 2050. We overachieved on our third carbon budget by 15%, and we will not be rolling that over as we think we will be able to overperform on carbon budget 4 as well.

Answered
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Q2 Henry Smith Con
Transport Climate
Context

The government has set a net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The questioner wants to know about discussions on supporting sustainable aviation.

Question

What discussions have the Secretary of State had with the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport regarding a revenue support mechanism for sustainable aviation, as well as ensuring feedstock for sustainable aviation fuels takes priority?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

My Department is in regular contact with the Department for Transport and the Treasury on aviation decarbonisation. DFT published a consultation on options for a revenue certainty mechanism alongside details of the SAF mandate, which will support both decarbonation and the growth of the sector.

Answered
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Q3 Angus MacNeil SNP
Climate Energy
Context

The government is criticized for being slow and indecisive in giving market signals for particular technologies. This affects the choice of new energy sources, often leading to gas-based solutions.

Question

What will the Secretary of State do to move things quicker and give clearer signals as to which energy path the UK will be taking?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We have one of the most remarkable records in renewable energies. China is the only country that has built more offshore wind than us, and we are at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies such as fusion, hydrogen, and carbon capture.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address how to move things quicker or provide clearer signals for energy technology paths

How: Highlighting Achievements In Renewable Energies

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Q4 Andrea Jenkyns Con
Climate
Context

The government's net zero targets are seen as too costly for the British taxpayer, prompting a request for a detailed cost analysis before a debate.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that we must be more honest about the costs of net zero? Will the Government publish a detailed analysis in advance of my Westminster Hall debate?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We are taking a measured approach because we want to protect households. We believe that meeting our targets will support up to 480,000 green jobs in 2030.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit to publishing detailed cost analysis but acknowledged the need for a measured approach.

How: Highlighting Job Creation

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Q5 Caroline Lucas Green
Climate
Context

The Climate Change Committee criticized the government's narrow approach to solutions and urged a revision of the carbon budget delivery plan.

Question

Will the Secretary of State revise the Government's carbon budget delivery plan to embrace demand reduction measures?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We have made remarkable progress in renewable energy, which is why we overshot our first, second, and third carbon budgets. We are on track to overshoot our fourth.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit to revising the plan or reducing reliance on unproven technofixes.

How: Highlighting Achievements In Renewable Energy

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Q6 Ed Miliband Lab Doncaster North
Climate
Context

The government was found to be in breach of law over climate targets, leading to higher energy bills for families.

Question

What is the right hon. Lady's “dog ate my homework” excuse this time?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

The Court did not question our policies or progress. We are among the most ambitious of our peers in setting future targets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide a specific excuse but defended their policies and progress.

How: Defending Policy And Progress

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Q7 Ed Miliband Lab Doncaster North
Climate Energy
Context

The government was found in breach of law for failing to meet climate targets, leading to higher energy bills and job losses.

Question

Why do the Government's plans fail to meet the climate emergency and push up bills for families?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

The right hon. Gentleman's plans would raise bills, harm energy security, and see up to 100,000 people lose their jobs according to recent reports.

How: Criticizing Opposition'S Plans

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