At a Crossroads; Pathways to a Net Zero Future

1 Background to the report
2 Launching the report
3 The role of skills and training
4 The report in summary
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Background to the report

On June 27 2019, the UK became the first G7 country to legislate for net zero, that was five years ago this June 27, 2024. Chris Skidmore OBE, who was Energy and Clean Growth Minister at the time signed the legislation to commit the UK to a legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050. The net zero target was made legally binding by the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019.

The Government stated that net zero means “any emissions would be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or using technology like carbon capture and storage”, for further and current information visit Government policy on reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Chris Skidmore was Minister of State jointly at the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from 10 September 2019 to 13 February 2020 after having a number of different roles as an MP. In January 2024 he resigned as an MP over the proposed introduction of the government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, and on June 9 he joined the University of Bath as Professor of Practice to boost sustainability & climate research. On June 20, 2024 he announced that in the general election he would vote Labour because of the party's Net Zero policies.

[edit] Launching the report

To mark the 5 year anniversary, he with Dan McGrail and Grace Girling, supported by RenewableUK the UK's leading not for profit renewable energy trade association published a report supporting that original net zero goal: 'At a Crossroads; Pathways to a Net Zero Future'.

Chris Skidmore said about the report: "The launch of our new report, At a Crossroads marked the fifth anniversary of signing net zero into law. The report brings together a Coalition of businesses, industry network organisations and policy experts. On Thursday, we will see whoever forms the next government need to prioritise the net zero transition further and faster than ever before if we are to meet our target of decarbonising 68% by 2030. The report provides a comprehensive roadmap on what needs to happen not only in the next five years, but in the next 100 days and one year. I hope that the incoming government will use it as a template to deliver what we need to achieve to meet net zero."

[edit] The role of skills and training

The report includes the 'Recharging Electrical Skills Charter' published by the includes Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) as a recommendation to the new Government, and as an active member of Actuate UK.

Chris Skidmore said: "I am extremely grateful for the support and contribution that Actuate U.K. have made as members of the Power Generation Network of the Mission Zero Coalition. They have played an active and important role in shaping the report and its recommendations and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work together.".

This report is the culmination of the Power Generation Network, which has been co-chaired with Dan McGrail, CEO of RenewableUK. The Power Generation Network has been formed by organisations representing various parts of the energy sector, including Actuate UK (The engineering services alliance comprised by leading trade, technology and professional bodies:BESA, BSRIA, CIBSE, ECA, FETA and LEIA), AVEVA, AW Group, Carbon Tracker, Eden Sustainable, Energy Research Accelerator, GE Vernova, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, IDRIC, Last Energy and Lloyds Banking Group.

[edit] The report in summary

The full report can be downloaded here 'At a Crossroads; Pathways to a Net Zero Future' but here in brief:

The UK, became the first major economy to commit to a legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this, the government set intermediary goals: reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 68% by 2030 and 78% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. By 2022, the UK had cut emissions by 50%, surpassing its third carbon budget target.

The energy sector, responsible for over a third of global GHG emissions plays a crucial role in achieving these targets. Recognising this, 133 countries at COP28 pledged to triple global renewable energy generation capacity to 11,000GW by 2030. The British Energy Security Strategy (BESS) aims for 95% of British electricity to be low-carbon by 2030 and to fully decarbonise the electricity system by 2035. Currently, 40% of UK electricity comes from renewables, up from 7% in 2010, but this needs to more than double to meet BESS ambitions.

The Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) 2023 Progress Report highlighted that while renewable electricity capacity increased in 2022, it did not grow at the necessary pace to meet government targets, especially for solar deployment. The report called for a more credible strategy for decarbonising the sector by 2035, noting that grid storage and dispatchable low-carbon capacity are on track, but wind and solar PV are lagging.

The Independent Review of Net Zero identified ten priority missions to provide clarity and drive progress. These included developing grid and infrastructure frameworks, full-scale solar deployment, onshore wind projects, and a new nuclear program. The review highlighted several issues in clean power generation and offered recommendations, which the government formally responded to on 30 March 2023.

On the same day, DESNZ published "Powering Up Britain," a blueprint for the UK’s energy future. It sets ambitious goals such as developing 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and increasing solar power five-fold by 2035 to 70GW. Actions included opening an allocation round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and reimagining networks to integrate offshore wind with mainland grids.

The plan also announced revisions to energy National Policy Statements (NPS), including new policies for nuclear infrastructure. Additionally, a Net Zero and Nature Workforce Action Plan is expected this year. Key commitments include launching a Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme, establishing a solar taskforce, and holding annual CfD auctions.

Flexibility in the energy system is crucial, with plans to deliver the 2021 Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, accelerate network connections, and increase interconnection capacity to at least 18GW by 2030. The planning system is central to delivering net zero infrastructure, with consultations on community benefits for network projects and new development rights for solar installations.

The Offshore Wind Net Zero Investment Roadmap outlines steps to achieve 50GW of offshore wind by 2030. The independent report emphasised the need to update the National Grid for high renewables penetration. Recommendations focused on site selection, consenting processes, grid connections, and innovation. Further actions included launching consultations on energy policy, developing a strategic roadmap for solar, and accelerating planning processes for NSIP projects. The Energy Act 2023, which became law on 26th October, aims to transform the UK’s energy system, strengthen energy security, support net zero delivery, and ensure affordable household bills.

The government and Ofgem have taken steps to improve the grid connection process, increase rooftop solar installations, and develop nuclear infrastructure. The revised NPSs and the Civil Nuclear Roadmap outline long-term strategies for energy infrastructure and nuclear power’s role in reaching net zero.

The overarching goal is to decarbonise the electricity system as a primary step towards net zero, enabling the electrification of former fossil fuel processes. The report identifies five pathways to a net zero grid: balanced supply and demand, an attractive investment environment, an efficient planning system, a skilled workforce, and a data-driven energy system. The upcoming general election will determine the next steps in delivering the UK’s decarbonisation goals.

'The first chapter of this report sets out the opportunities brought about by accelerating efforts towards a net zero grid that is supplied with an increasing amount of energy from solar PV, offshore and onshore wind and nuclear. Chapter Two presents five pathways identified to achieving a net zero grid: balanced supply and demand, an attractive investment environment, an efficient and democratic planning system, a sufficient flow of skilled workers, and a data-driven and digitalised energy system. The final chapter touches upon what the potential is for clean energy based on the manifestos presented by the Conservative and Labour parties ahead of the general election and the key actions to be taken by the next government elected.' (extracted final paragraph of the Introduction of the report)

This article is based on the report 'At a Crossroads; Pathways to a Net Zero Future' by Chris Skidmore, Dan McGrail and Grace Girling, supported by RenewableUK as well as the ECA news item 'At a Crossroads' dated July 2, 2023.