Policy Highlights: March/April 2022

Parliament

The Queen’s Speech and the local elections have taken place already this month. Multiple environmental policies have also passed through Parliament in this time, with aims to support industries to become greener.

Greener Imports

The Environmental Audit Committee published a report on greening imports in regard to the UK border and carbon emissions.

The report states that the current approach toward carbon pricing is insufficient. Not only this, but with imports making up 43% of the UK’s consumption emissions, it is failing to drive effective decarbonisation.

Recommendations have been made stating a clear policy is required based on the UK carbon border approach and complementary policies must align to tackle consumption emissions and support low-carbon technologies to drive the decarbonisation efforts. All policies will be presented to Parliament, prior to implementation.

The Queen’s Speech

The Queen’s Speech was read out in the Lords Chamber this month, setting out the programme of legislation of the Government’s intentions for the forthcoming parliamentary session. This year's speech, delivered by Prince Charles, highlighted several laws to pass this coming year, however the Energy Security Bill took centre stage.

The Bill included many elements of supporting businesses to adopt greener energy methods. For example:

  • Supporting industry to step up investment in growing the consumer market for electric heat pumps by introducing a new market standard and trading scheme. The aim here is to support innovation and help lower costs of heat pumps for consumers over time.
  • Ofgem to be appointed as the new heat networks regulator to ensure consumers get a fair price for and reliable supply of heat.
  • Extension of the energy price cap to prevent suppliers from overcharging their customers.
  • Introducing state-of-the-art business models for Carbon Capture Usage and Storage transport and storage, low carbon hydrogen and industrial carbon capture.
  • Enabling the first ever large-scale hydrogen heating trial to inform the role of hydrogen in heat decarbonisation in 2026.

The Bill will apply mainly to Great Britain, with some provisions applying across the UK.

Need to set up long-term carbon reduction targets and a pathway to reach them? Our expert energy consultants can help you reach your objectives.

Water Innovations

The winners of the Water Breakthrough Challenge have received £20m of funding from the water regulator for England and Wales, Ofwat.

The Water Breakthrough Challenge is part of a series of funded innovation competitions, focussing on large-scale, long-term innovations. Backed by a £200m Water Innovation Fund, these competitions aim to stimulate new innovations and enable the water sector to better meet the evolving need of customers, society and the environment.

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-Further Reading-

Policy Highlights: March/April 2022

Find out the key policy highlights from March and the first half of April, including the launch of the Plastic Packaging Tax and the Chancellor's Spring Statement.

An innovative decarbonisation project announced for Finland

In Finland, Veolia has recently announced the development of an innovative industrial solution, to produce carbon-neutral biofuel from pulp production. 

Power your way through the energy crisis

The imbalance of demand and supply of energy has caused unprecedented price increases across the globe. Profound changes are required from UK businesses to adapt and ensure a larger energy crisis is avoided by securing supply of energy and limiting reliance on fossil fuels.

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