Net Zero Review recommends more support for businesses

Chair of the Net Zero Review, Chris Skidmore, has published his Net Zero Review, which makes recommendations which include more support for businesses to play their part.

He urges ministers to grasp the ‘historic opportunity’, highlighting how the government’s Net Zero Strategy offers the right direction, and the right policies to do so.

The 129 recommendations in the report cover areas including the greater role that business can be supported to play, making better use of infrastructure and delivering more energy efficient homes.

Chair of the Net Zero Review, Chris Skidmore MP, said: "We should be proud of the lead the UK has taken in tackling climate change, having exceeded expectations so far in our race to net zero emissions by 2050. As essential as that is environmentally, it also puts us at an economic advantage globally.

"We lead in areas including clean technologies, science, manufacturing and green finance – areas that, if managed right, can lead to new jobs and strong economic growth.

"In developing this report, we have engaged with communities, economists and climate experts from across the country through more than 50 roundtables and 1,800 submissions – all of which have led to the Mission Zero findings.

"My recommendations are designed to make the most of this historic opportunity, covering the length and breadth of our economy, so that people in every part of the country can reap the benefits of this both in their communities, and in their pockets."

The report recommends using infrastructure to unlock net zero, developing a cross-sectoral infrastructure strategy by 2025 supporting the building and adaptation of infrastructure for electricity, hydrogen, other liquid and gaseous fuels and CO2 networks that support the green economy.

It also includes backing businesses to go green, reviewing incentives for investment in decarbonisation, including via the tax system and capital allowances, and protecting British industries from environmental undercutting by progressing plans on carbon leakage measures and providing more detail on the UK’s new Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

It also recommends building skills needed for the transition by driving forward the Green Jobs Taskforce recommendations and launching a ‘Help to Grow Green’ campaign, offering information and support to SMEs to plan and invest in the transition.

It also recommends reforming the planning system at local and national level to place net zero at its heart, and developing a Net Zero Charter mark, acknowledging ‘best in class’ among firms for their work in reaching net zero.

The review was informed through a call for evidence and direct engagement with businesses, organisations, local government, academia and the public and received over 1,800 responses.