Comment: CCC net zero assessment

“Irrespective of any jeopardy the PM’s speech left the UK’s climate commitments in, it also left the country more dependent on foreign oil and gas, at the whims of OPEC and Putin and facing higher energy bills as a result. In particular Sunak’s recent policy U-turn on landlord insulation rules will mean private renters are left colder and poorer to the tune of billions of pounds. Failing to contract any new offshore wind last month means our bills will collectively be £1 billion higher than they needed to be. Speeding up the roll out of EVs coupled with UK renewables will drive down the cost of powering homes and motoring alike.

“By failing to prepare for off gas grid boiler phase out – a policy that would have affected 0.2% of homes a year from 2026 – the seeds of confusion are sowed not only with home owners but with investors too who are seeking to build new, clean industries as the UK tries to compete in the global race for green growth.”