After months of anticipation, the government has today (Monday 14 December) finally published its long-awaited Energy White Paper.
“The UK has set a world–leading net zero target, the first major economy to do so, but simply setting the target is not enough – we need to achieve it,” says Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in his foreword. But does the White Paper deliver this detail?
Most people would choose the incentive of carrot rather than the avoidance of stick when being asked to change their behaviour.
Yet, in the area of government directives, sticks are often the ‘motivators’ to get businesses to comply.
When it comes to meeting the government’s 2050 net zero emissions target, we’re still not clear on how the carrots will stack up against the sticks. Hopefully the long-anticipated Net Zero Review and Energy Whitepaper will provide some answers.
For a term that’s a relative newcomer to our everyday business language, net zero has gained a lot of traction in a short time.
A Google search, for example, brings up 1.47 billion results. And businesses of all sizes are feeling under pressure to have an official stance regarding their commitment to net zero.
Certainly, we hear from customers everyday asking for help with defining or delivering a net zero strategy. But what do businesses really think?
In our latest webinar we speak to business and energy experts, to discuss the main points of the latest government announcements
After months of anticipation, the government has today (Monday 14 December) finally published its long-awaited Energy White Paper.
“The UK has set a world–leading net zero target, the first major economy to do so, but simply setting the target is not enough – we need to achieve it,” says Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in his foreword. But does the White Paper deliver this detail?
As we eagerly await the government’s Net Zero Review and Energy White Paper to understand more about how the UK will be expected to meet its 2050 net zero goal, many businesses are already taking steps to work towards their own net zero targets.
Most people would choose the incentive of carrot rather than the avoidance of stick when being asked to change their behaviour.
Yet, in the area of government directives, sticks are often the ‘motivators’ to get businesses to comply.
When it comes to meeting the government’s 2050 net zero emissions target, we’re still not clear on how the carrots will stack up against the sticks. Hopefully the long-anticipated Net Zero Review and Energy Whitepaper will provide some answers.
For a term that’s a relative newcomer to our everyday business language, net zero has gained a lot of traction in a short time.
A Google search, for example, brings up 1.47 billion results. And businesses of all sizes are feeling under pressure to have an official stance regarding their commitment to net zero.
Certainly, we hear from customers everyday asking for help with defining or delivering a net zero strategy. But what do businesses really think?
If one positive can be taken from the events of 2020 so far, it’s the glimpse lockdown gave us all of a low-carbon future; with emissions down, cleaner air, and renewables successfully powering our homes and businesses.
Little wonder then, that while actively pursuing decarbonisation stalled during the Covid-19 crisis, the reopening of our economy has brought with it a renewed focus on net zero goals.
But while businesses, industry bodies and action groups are increasingly calling for sustainability to be placed at the heart of a ‘green recovery’, clear guidance and meaningful support for organisations who want to take their own strides towards net zero is yet to be provided by UK policymakers.
In November 2019, the UK Treasury announced it would conduct a Net Zero Review to assess how the UK could make the most of the economic opportunities the green transition presents. Published following the UK legislating to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, this Review, alongside the much-anticipated Energy White Paper, is designed to provide a clear roadmap on how the UK would achieve and fund its ambitious low-carbon transition.
