Written evidence submitted by
Chris Skidmore MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (CGE0089)

Thank you for your letter, dated 22 May, regarding our greenhouse gas emissions projections, and for your kind words.

The Energy and Emissions Projections (EEP) 2018 were published in April 2019 and, as you note, they show that the greenhouse gas emissions reductions achievable from the currently quantifiable policies would deliver 95% and 93% of our required performance against 1990 levels for the fourth and fifth carbon budgets. The policies and proposals which have been included in our latest projections are set out in Annex D of EEP 2018, which I have also attached at Annex A of this letter.

As the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Claire Perry MP, noted on 23 April 2019 to your Committee, at the time of publication of the Clean Growth Strategy (CGS), only some of the policies and proposals were developed to a level where emissions savings could be estimated. Many of the policies are due to come into effect throughout the 2020s and 2030s, and it is to be expected that we will continue to develop the detail. Policies in the CGS and announced since but not yet included in EEP include:

• Future Homes Standard
• Offshore Wind Sector Deal
• Industrial Energy Transformation Fund
• Industrial energy efficiency scheme
• Deploying carbon capture, usage and storage at scale during the 2030s
• Upgrading all fuel poor homes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2030 where practical, cost-effective and affordable
• Ending the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040 
• Ambition to remove all diesel-only trains from the network by 2040
• To make cycling and walking the natural choices for shorter journeys, or as part of a longer journey by 2040
• Implementing the smart systems plan
• Exploring new and innovative ways to manage emissions from landfill

We are absolutely committed to delivering the suite of ambitious policies and proposals set out in the CGS, as well as looking for opportunities to go further. Looking ahead, the Committee on Climate Change will publish their progress report in July, and we will publish our response in October.

In addition, I am pleased to confirm that we have laid draft legislation to set a new net zero greenhouse gas emissions target for the UK, to be delivered by 2050. This world-leading target will bring to an end our contribution to climate change.

I hope that you find this information helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

17 June 2019

Annex A: Policies Included in Our Latest Projections

The following categories are used to describe the implementation status of policies, which are consistent with UNFCCC definitions:

• Expired policies and measures are closed policies that still provide legacy carbon savings.
• Implemented policies and measures are those for which one or more of the following applies:

(i) national legislation is in force;

(ii) one or more voluntary agreements have been established;

(iii) financial resources have been allocated;

(iv) human resources have been mobilised.

• Adopted policies and measures are those for which an official Government decision has been made and there is a clear commitment to proceed with implementation.
• Planned policies and measures are options under discussion with a realistic chance of being adopted and implemented in future.

The following policies are included in our latest projections (EEP 2018, published April 2019):

Further information is available in Annex D of EEP 2018, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2018