EHC Net Zero urge change to be at the heart of next election.
As a result, climate change has become a major political issue, with many political parties working to demonstrate their commitment to lowering emissions and promoting sustainability. The call for climate change to be a central issue in the next general election is not surprising. The younger generation has grown increasingly aware of the global impact of climate change and is demanding that policymakers respond.
Chris Skidmore, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research, and Innovation cautioned that the upcoming general election would be “Critical” for meeting the UK’s climate commitment, with the winner accountable for implementing important decarbonisation policies before 2030.
Chris Skidmore, a prominent voice on energy and climate policy, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to net zero, which requires a combination of government policies, private sector innovation, and most importantly, individual action. It was highlighted that the government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, is indeed ambitious but achievable when supported by a range of measures, including government and private investments in clean energy infrastructure and support for low-carbon technologies.
One of the key areas of focus in achieving net zero is electrification, which involves transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity as the primary source of energy. Chris Skidmore recognizes the difficulties that this transition will bring, such as the necessity for large-scale investments in renewable energy and the development of new technologies to assist the electrification of transportation and heating.
Garry Cowan of EHC met with MP Chris Skidmore to discuss the UK’s progress towards achieving net zero emissions and the role of electrification in this transition. One of the main benefits of electric boilers and heating systems is that they do not produce emissions which means they are carbon free and highly energy efficient. The Purpose of the meeting was to launch four Mission Zero Networks. The goals of these networks will be to allow participants to contribute to the development of new policy suggestions. The Government is establishing a non-biased network of varying organisations who’s experience will be shared with appropriate parties to help with policy implementation.
The “Mission Zero Coalition” which EHC are proudly part of will look into the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and academic experts in driving progress towards net zero. Each network member can actively participate in the conversations and is able to assist and influence the direction of the report, particularly through case studies and site visits from the group. One approach would be to replace the current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessment process with a more rigorous and comprehensive assessment to ensure buildings in the UK will not require retrofitting as it can be costly and disruptive. By implementing a new building assessment process, the UK Government can help to ensure that new buildings are constructed with energy efficiency in mind, reducing the need for retrofitting in the future.
Chris Skidmore stated “I have called for a national retrofit program to install heat pumps and end our reliance on gas. The future of home heat will no doubt be electric. While the Net Zero review urges The Government to decide sooner rather than later the future uses of hydrogen for home heating, we need to get real that the net zero transition will be above all a transition away from gas of all forms, towards electricity.”
Much of what has already been said is already incorporated in the EHC ethos; end user education and awareness was highlighted multiple times as being critical to the transition process. At EHC we believe that reducing energy is critical, “The Cheapest form of Energy is the Energy we do not use”.
By supporting initiatives like the Mission Zero Coalition and investing in clean energy infrastructure, the UK can lead the way towards a sustainable and prosperous future. The time for action is NOW, and we must all do our part in building a better world for future generations.
So, let’s come together and make a difference – read on to learn more about the exciting innovations and initiatives that are driving us towards a greener, cleaner future!
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