Toby Perkins MP, Chair, Environmental Audit Committee,:
“I welcome the publication of this updated plan that spells out more around how the government intend to deliver on the UK’s legally binding emissions targets. This is a critical step in reassuring the public that their representatives have a clear and credible plan to bring down emissions and safeguard our environment.
“A key question is how this plan will make a solid contribution to reducing emissions on home soil, without outsourcing the problem to other countries. Reducing emissions in highly-polluting sectors must not result in those industries being shuttered completely and the emissions simply outsourced abroad. The government’s plans need to rest on solid foundations and meaningful commitments.”

Jess Ralston, Head of Energy, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit:
“Reaching net zero emissions is scientifically the only way the world can bring balance back to our climate and stop climate change. The good news is the UK is already halfway to playing its part having cut emissions by 50%. It now also looks as if China’s emissions may have peaked.
“Everyone knows there is huge momentum towards renewables and clean technologies like EVs globally so this is also a plan for keeping pace with global markets. The UK’s net zero economy is growing three times faster than the economy as whole with jobs in offshore wind springing up in places like Grimsby.
“But for anyone whose paid a gas bill in recent years, a shift to clean technologies ultimately means cheaper, electric driving, more insulated homes and less exposure to volatile international gas markets influenced by actors like Putin. The government’s plans for electric heat pumps are ambitious, with installs rising ten-fold in 5 years, but if we don’t make the shift, we’ll be reliant on ever more foreign gas to heat our homes as the North Sea stocks continue to run out. The Warm Homes Plan is due to set out exactly how in the coming months.
“These five yearly ‘carbon budgets’ are really important because they stop politicians ducking decisions, playing short-term politics with a long-term problem. The majority of the public are concerned by climate change and therefore back the net zero target, in fact more people think the government isn’t doing enough than think is doing too much.”

Olivia Powis, chief executive, CCSA:
“Today’s publication of the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan marks an important milestone in the UK’s net zero journey. It reaffirms that CCUS, including greenhouse gas removals, forms part of the most cost-effective route to net zero and represents a significant economic opportunity – decarbonising industry and power in a way that drives growth.
“We particularly welcome the Government’s continued commitment to key CCUS clusters and projects – HyNet, the East Coast Cluster, Acorn, Viking and the Peak Cluster – which will play a central role in delivering CO2 emissions reductions through CB6, as well as the need to maintain momentum for further clusters to enable delivery of CB7 and beyond.
“Delivering this plan will require close collaboration between Government and industry to unlock private investment, accelerate project deployment, and maintain the UK’s global leadership in low-carbon innovation. The CCSA looks forward to continuing to work with DESNZ and partners across the value chain to turn these ambitions into delivery that drives growth, energy security and lasting climate benefits across the UK.”
Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group:
“Economic growth must be based on decarbonisation, especially given the material risk that climate change poses to businesses and the opportunities offered by the global transition. The Climate Change Act, and the delivery plans that it requires, helps the UK to maintain its leadership position. It also offers certainty and attracts global investment to futureproof the UK economy.
“We welcome the clarity provided by the new Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan: it sets out a comprehensive approach to tackling emissions across all sectors, aligned with the government’s growth mission. Investor confidence will be further strengthened as more details on delivery emerge, including the upcoming Warm Homes Plan and industrial decarbonisation plan. However, the persistently high price of electricity continues to hold back growth and decarbonisation across multiple sectors, as well as putting pressure on households. We urge the government to prioritise action on power prices in the forthcoming Budget.”

Caroline Bragg, chief executive, ADE:
“To meet our legally binding carbon targets, energy demand, heat decarbonisation in particular,
must be given serious attention. Just building out more electricity networks won’t cut it – the Government must focus on optimising the system through heat networks, industrial decarbonisation and consumer-led flexibility”

Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary:
“Delivering good jobs must be the number one mission of all governments. If this plan delivers good, secure jobs and tackles climate change, it can only be a good thing.
“The last Conservative Government threatened to ban gas boilers – changing this unworkable position is welcome.
“Further consultation on bringing down electric costs for industry is vital. Too many key manufacturing firms are struggling: a huge problem for growth and international competitiveness. We look forward to seeing more action on this in the upcoming Budget.”