Local government and the path to net zero

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 10 Mar 2021 Closed: 24 Jan 2022 Parliament page
The aim of the inquiry is to scrutinise the government’s plans to make all new homes “zero carbon ready” by 2025, through the introduction of the Future Homes Standards, and to explore how local government can help the UK to reduce its carbon emissions to “net zero” by 2050, including … Read more
18 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
18 Jan
2022
Report published
29 Oct
2021
Report published
20 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
15 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
13 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
12 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
21 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
20 Sep 2021
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Oral Evidence
Eddie Hughes · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Emma Fraser · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Emma Fraser · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Ffiona Hesketh · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Siobhan Jones · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities The Lord Callanan · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
15 Sep 2021
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Oral Evidence
The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben · Climate Change Committee
13 Sep 2021
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Oral Evidence
Cllr Peter Schwier · Essex County Council Cllr Sarah Rouse · District Councils Network Nick Hibberd · Brighton & Hove City Council Professor Janette Webb · University of Edinburgh Richard Blyth · Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Xavier Brice · Sustrans
12 Jul 2021
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Oral evidence
Brian Robson · Northern Housing Consortium Catherine Evans · Stonewater John Alker · UK Green Building Council Michael Lewis · E.ON UK Nicola Pitts · Independent Networks Association Richard Smith · National House Building Council (NHBC)
21 Jun 2021
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Oral evidence
Andrew Forth · Royal Institute of British Architects Cllr Rachel Blake · Local Government Association Colm Britchfield · E3G Philippa Borrowman · Green Alliance Polly Billington · UK100 Polly Cook · ADEPT
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Local government and the path to net zero HC 34 29 Oct 2021 26 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
26 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Given how significant is local government’s influence over greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear the...
Given how significant is local government’s influence over greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear the UK will struggle to reach net zero by 2050 unless central and local government work together to deliver solutions tailored to meet local circumstances. Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of local government's influence on greenhouse gas emissions and expresses commitment to working more closely with local areas to harness local action to deliver national net zero ambitions.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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2 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Local authorities will be particularly important in ensuring a just transition to net zero, since...
Local authorities will be particularly important in ensuring a just transition to net zero, since no layer of government is closer to people or better able to tailor climate action to meet the needs of local communities. Only by harnessing … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of local authorities for a just net zero transition and commits to establishing a Local Net Zero Forum, chaired by BEIS, to clarify delivery roles for local government and provide a coordinated engagement route into central government.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We welcome the ambitious targets set by many local authorities, and we are pleased the...
We welcome the ambitious targets set by many local authorities, and we are pleased the Government has now committed in its Net Zero Strategy to clarifying the relationship between central and local government in the delivery of net zero and … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to establishing a Local Net Zero Forum, chaired by BEIS, to clarify central and local government roles, support the delivery of a just transition, and discuss additional powers local authorities may need to meet climate targets.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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4 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We note that the Net Zero Strategy assigns responsibility for co-ordinating with local government to...
We note that the Net Zero Strategy assigns responsibility for co-ordinating with local government to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and that the role of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities remains undefined. Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's observation by clarifying DLUHC's defined role as stewarding the local government finance and planning systems, and advising BEIS on local engagement for net zero delivery.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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5 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Local government an…
On funding, we welcome the commitment in the Net Zero Strategy to explore ways to...
On funding, we welcome the commitment in the Net Zero Strategy to explore ways to simplify and consolidate the number of local net zero funding streams, but we note it included no clear commitment to increasing the level of long-term … Read more
Government Response
The government states that local authorities already have significant spending power for net zero and reiterates its existing intention from the Net Zero Strategy to explore simplifying and consolidating funding streams to give more certainty for longer-term programmes, without committing to increase the overall level of long-term funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
In line with the recommendation from the Climate Change Committee, and seemingly in line with...
In line with the recommendation from the Climate Change Committee, and seemingly in line with its own commitment in the Net Zero Strategy, we urge the Government to immediately begin consulting local government on the contents of a draft net … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to establishing a Local Net Zero Forum, chaired by BEIS, to clarify central and local government roles, support the delivery of a just transition, and discuss additional powers local authorities may need to meet climate targets.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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7 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Either in that framework, or elsewhere, the Government should also clarify what role, if any,...
Either in that framework, or elsewhere, the Government should also clarify what role, if any, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will play in supporting local authority climate action, given that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial … Read more
Government Response
The government clarifies that BEIS is responsible for overall net zero coordination with local authorities, while DLUHC acts as a steward for the local government finance and planning systems, advising BEIS on local engagement and policy design.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We also recommend that the Government come up with a plan for funding local authority...
We also recommend that the Government come up with a plan for funding local authority climate action in a way that gives councils the confidence and ability to plan for the long term, including by making good on its commitment … Read more
Government Response
The government states local authorities already have significant spending power for net zero and recognizes the importance of longer-term funding. It reiterates its intention to explore simplifying and consolidating net zero funding streams and to work across departments to boost investment certainty, but does not present a new specific plan.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Reaching net zero requires ensuring that new homes are designed and built in a way...
Reaching net zero requires ensuring that new homes are designed and built in a way that will avoid subsequent retrofitting and are built to net zero standards. This will also avoid the cost of ensuring higher standards being borne by … Read more
Government Response
The government states the Future Homes Standard will ensure new homes are 'zero carbon ready' by 2025, with a technical consultation in 2023 and legislation in 2024. It rejects the call for a 2022 consultation and does not address the request to consider a 2030 zero carbon target.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The Government anticipates that only 200,000 heat pumps a year will be fitted into new...
The Government anticipates that only 200,000 heat pumps a year will be fitted into new homes by 2028. As the Government’s target is to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s, it should explain where the additional heat pumps … Read more
Government Response
The government explains that supply chain analysis projects heat pump installations could reach over 320,000 annually by 2025, supported by significant growth in domestic manufacturing. It details targeted funding for training and tax relief to foster a thriving UK supply chain, citing examples of manufacturers investing in UK production.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The public need to have confidence that homes stated to be net zero are as...
The public need to have confidence that homes stated to be net zero are as promised. Therefore, the Government should review the metrics used to measure energy efficiency in homes. This should include considering how energy performance certificates are calculated, … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation by detailing an existing 35-action plan to improve EPC accuracy, with 11 actions completed and further work underway including SAP methodology reviews. It also commits to consider the performance gap as part of a forthcoming Statement of Intent.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should ensure that future reforms to the...
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should ensure that future reforms to the planning system give a larger role to sustainability than is the case in the current planning system. We welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing the … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing National Planning Policy Framework provisions and recent updates that support low-carbon planning and local energy efficiency standards. It states it is considering future planning reforms and will review the NPPF to support local authorities in achieving net zero, but does not commit to a statutory requirement for Local Plans to address carbon emissions or to the requested £500 million funding for the planning system.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The retrofitting of existing homes is essential for ensuring the UK reaches net zero by...
The retrofitting of existing homes is essential for ensuring the UK reaches net zero by 2050. Retrofitting will come at substantial cost and can only be achieved through a mix of both public and private funding. We welcome the additional … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to specific initiatives like a £10 million Green Home Finance Accelerator and will publish a response to a consultation on improving home energy performance through lenders. However, it explicitly rejects tax incentives for energy efficient homes and does not provide longer-term funding plans beyond 2025 or outline the anticipated share from private investment.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Recommendation Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme proved a disappointing failure, and it is important that...
The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme proved a disappointing failure, and it is important that the reasons for its failure–that it was created too quickly, had high management and administration costs, and did not last long enough–should shape future schemes. … Read more
Government Response
The government response provided is an exact copy of the committee's recommendation text and does not offer any substantive response or commitment.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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15 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Future retrofitting schemes will be needed to incentivise the public to switch to low carbon...
Future retrofitting schemes will be needed to incentivise the public to switch to low carbon heating. Such schemes should be put in place after a thorough consultation with stakeholders, including with the public. We believe the following five principles would … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines existing schemes like the Home Upgrade Grant, LAD, and SHDF which incorporate some recommended principles such as a major role for local authorities and adaptation to income groups. However, it maintains that competitive bidding processes are used for value for money and refers to other responses for long-term funding certainty.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The Government is proposing that certain properties with low EPC Bands and using electricity and...
The Government is proposing that certain properties with low EPC Bands and using electricity and LPG gas will need to choose a low-carbon heating system when replacing their existing one from 2026. This contrasts with the same requirement on replacing … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the observation by confirming its ongoing consultation to phase out high-carbon fossil fuels in off-grid homes during the 2020s, outlining financial support through the Home Upgrade Grant, and detailing future consultations on boiler efficiency and hydrogen-ready boilers.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
The Climate Assembly UK emphasised the importance of giving the public choice over how retrofitting...
The Climate Assembly UK emphasised the importance of giving the public choice over how retrofitting takes place, including over which technologies are installed. Choice is important in securing public support for retrofitting. Local authorities can play an important role in … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to enhancing its Simple Energy Advice service for homeowners, publishing a UK Hydrogen Strategy in due course, and conducting a large-scale hydrogen trial in 2026. For local authority support, the response refers to further information in the response to recommendation 9.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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18 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We were told that local government needs additional resources to enforce minimum energy efficiency standards...
We were told that local government needs additional resources to enforce minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector. Resources should be made available for this purpose. Enforcement would also be aided by the introduction of a register of … Read more
Government Response
The government details over £6.4 million in funding already provided to local authorities for MEES enforcement, including pilot studies and an enforcement competition. It also committed in the Net Zero and Heat and Buildings Strategies to introduce a compliance and exemptions database to support local authority enforcement.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Local government an…
As previously stated, we welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing the National Planning Policy Framework...
As previously stated, we welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing the National Planning Policy Framework to make sure it contributes to climate mitigation, but we are concerned that in the meantime some councils will continue to grant planning permission to … Read more
Government Response
The government aims to promote sustainable transport in planning, citing existing policies and strategies. It commits to creating Active Travel England, which will serve as a statutory consultee to ensure adequate walking and cycling provision in new developments, but does not explicitly commit to amending the NPPF or providing short-term clarification as requested.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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20 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We welcome the ambition in the recent national bus strategy to increase bus usage and...
We welcome the ambition in the recent national bus strategy to increase bus usage and ensure cheaper and more reliable bus services across the country. In particular, we welcome its promise to give local authorities more control over bus services, … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its National Bus Strategy, outlining how local authorities are developing Bus Service Improvement Plans and detailing existing funding streams for bus services. It also highlights significant investment for Light Rail schemes through the £5.7 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements fund.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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21 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We urge the Government to make good on the welcome promises set out in the...
We urge the Government to make good on the welcome promises set out in the national bus strategy, in particular to give local authorities more control over bus services, and to explain as soon as possible how it plans to … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its National Bus Strategy, outlining how local authorities are developing Bus Service Improvement Plans. It details existing funding for bus services and highlights significant investment for Light Rail schemes through the £5.7 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements fund, demonstrating how it is making good on its promises.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Local government an…
We are pleased the Government has promised to empower local authorities to take bold decisions...
We are pleased the Government has promised to empower local authorities to take bold decisions in this area and to publish a toolkit of guidance and information to help local authorities develop innovative and sustainable transport policies. We also welcome … Read more
Government Response
The government details significant investments in active travel, including £2 billion over five years, and plans to outline future funding beyond 2022 in the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS 2) in Spring 2022.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Local authorities are well placed to support the decarbonisation of energy generation and supply through...
Local authorities are well placed to support the decarbonisation of energy generation and supply through the delivery of smart local energy systems, owing to their role as planning authority and knowledge of their local areas. It is also clear that … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the crucial role of local authorities and describes existing initiatives, such as the £100 million Prospering from the Energy Revolution programme and the Local Net Zero Programme, which aim to support local capability and access to funding for decarbonisation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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24 Recommendation Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Local government an…
In line with its commitment in the Heat and Buildings Strategy, we urge the Government...
In line with its commitment in the Heat and Buildings Strategy, we urge the Government to immediately consult local authorities on how it can better support them to take advantage of the funding available for other types of low-carbon smart … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines existing programs and support for local authorities in developing smart energy systems, but it does not commit to the recommended immediate consultation with local authorities on how to better support them with funding for other low-carbon energy systems.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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25 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Local government an…
Besides buildings, transport and energy, there are many areas where local government can make a...
Besides buildings, transport and energy, there are many areas where local government can make a profound contribution to the UK meeting its net-zero target. We have highlighted waste management, procurement and local leadership, but there are many more besides. It … Read more
Government Response
The government response acknowledges the diverse roles of local authorities in contributing to net zero, particularly in transport, but does not address the committee's conclusion regarding central government's responsibility to enumerate all areas for local climate action or ensure proper funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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26 Recommendation Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Local government an…
As already recommended, the Government must immediately consult local government on the contents of a...
As already recommended, the Government must immediately consult local government on the contents of a draft net zero delivery framework setting out the relative roles and responsibilities of local and central government. It must also commit to properly funding local … Read more
Government Response
The government references previous responses for local authority climate funding but does not address the recommendation to consult on a net zero delivery framework. While it describes the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, it does not provide explicit assurance that it will fund schemes of the kind previously covered by the European Regional Development Fund.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 18 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 6
Not Addressed 4
Total 18 recs + 8 conclusions