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
12 Recommendations
14 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
18 Jan
2022
Report published
29 Oct
2021
Report published
20 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
20 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
15 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
15 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
13 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
13 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
12 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
12 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
21 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
21 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
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 · 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
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
Throughout the UK, there are brilliant examples of local action, innovation, and excellence, all of which are helping to deliver our net zero ambitions. Government is committed to working ever … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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2 Conclusion
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 Local Climate Action Chapter of the Net Zero Strategy sets out our commitments to enable local areas to deliver net zero. This includes setting clearer expectations on how central … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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3 Conclusion
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 Local Climate Action Chapter of the Net Zero Strategy sets out our commitments to enable local areas to deliver net zero. This includes setting clearer expectations on how central … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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4 Conclusion
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
As outlined in the Net Zero Strategy, BEIS has overall responsibility for achieving net zero and for coordinating with local authorities and other local actors on designing effective policies, including … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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5 Conclusion
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
Local authorities already have significant spending power for net zero. The National Audit Office Report into Local Government and Net Zero identified £1.2 billion in specific grant funding available in … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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6 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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7 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Conclusion
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
Local authorities already have significant spending power for net zero. The National Audit Office Report into Local Government and Net Zero identified £1.2 billion in specific grant funding available in … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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9 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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10 Conclusion
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 has undertaken extensive analysis of the supply chain to determine its readiness to scale up production to meet the expected demand for heat pumps. For example, in November … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Conclusion
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 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 … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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15 Conclusion
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 has allocated a total of £1.1 billion to the Home Upgrade Grant, with delivery taking place from early 2022 to March 2025. The Home Upgrade Grant will provide … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16 Conclusion
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 is consulting on new regulations to phase out the installation of heating systems using high-carbon fossil fuels in homes, businesses and public buildings in England off the gas … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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18 Conclusion
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
To date, BEIS has made available a total amount of £6,442,728 for compliance and enforcement of the minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) Regulations. To support local authorities, we conducted a … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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20 Conclusion
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
Our National Bus Strategy sets out how we will deliver better bus services for passengers, through ambitious and far-reaching reform of how services are planned and delivered. We asked all … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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21 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23 Conclusion
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
We recognise that local authorities have a key role to play in delivering smart local energy systems by combining energy into their wider statutory work on housing, transport, waste and … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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24 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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25 Conclusion
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 diverse nature of local authorities’ roles as place shapers, planners and trusted leaders means they have influence across a range of carbon emitting sectors, including transport. Local Government is … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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26 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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