CIEH Welcomes Independent Net Zero Review

CIEH has welcomed the recent publication of the independent review of the UK Government’s Net Zero strategy led by Chris Skidmore MP.

Receiving 1,800 responses to its Call for Evidence and having hosted over 50 roundtable events from across all 4 nations of the United Kingdom, this review represents one of the largest engagement exercises on Net Zero in the UK. While the independent review argues that Net Zero is creating a unique opportunity for the UK to capitalise on, it argues that the Government is simply not acting fast enough to truly capitalise on this opportunity.

The review provides an extraordinarily comprehensive review of the steps that the UK Government should take and that these steps must be underpinned by ambitious ten-year ‘missions’, established across sectors, with clear mandates and ambitious targets. Such an approach would see a joined-up, cross-sectoral approach to achieving Net Zero by 2050, with a clear governance structure guiding it.

The UK Government’s approach to achieving Net Zero has been piecemeal, unambitious, and lacking strategic direction and joined-up thinking. CIEH has welcomed the findings of the Independent Review and is calling upon the UK Government to adapt its findings in full.

Ross Matthewman, Head of Policy and Campaigns at CIEH, said:

“CIEH welcomes the comprehensive independent Net Zero review conducted by Chris Skidmore MP. This review is the most comprehensive analysis of the UK Government’s Net Zero strategy ever conducted and we welcome its findings.

Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge facing governments across the world, and we call upon the UK Government to stop tinkering around the edges and to urgently take the necessary action to ensure the UK meets its climate objectives.

The independent review’s recommendation to introduce 10-year ‘missions’, which can be established across various sectors and industries is an excellent idea and would finally see a more cohesive, joined-up approach to tackling climate change. We would urge the Government to implement these findings in full.”