Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ian Byrne this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–10 of 10 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the revised Carbon Budget Delivery Plan on the international commitment to cut carbon emissions by over two-thirds by 2030.
We are delivering an updated plan that sets out the policy package out to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037 for all sectors of the economy. This will outline the policies and proposals needed to deliver Carbon Budgets 4-6 and our international commitments on a pathway to net zero.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Belém Action Mechanism.
We are committed to working with all Parties to secure outcomes across the COP30 negotiations, including on just transitions, which are a critical opportunity to ensure that workers and communities benefit from the economic transition to net zero. Ahead of COP30 we are considering a range of proposals, including those related to just transitions.
What steps his Department is taking to (a) divest public funds from fossil fuels and (b) support community-owned renewable energy initiatives.
As part of our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, we are delivering the largest public investment in clean energy and nature recovery in UK history which will cut bills, provide energy security, create jobs, and boost growth. At COP29, The UK joined the Coalition on Phasing out Fossil Fuel Incentives, including Subsidies which further demonstrates our continued engagement on inefficient fossil fuel subsidy reform. At the same time, we are ensuring the North Sea transition sets a global benchmark for a just and prosperous energy future. Since its establishment, Great British Energy has invested over £280 million into local and community energy with the UK government. Great British Energy announced that £5 million will be allocated to the Great British Energy Community Fund in 2025/26, a grant funding scheme to support community energy groups to generate their own clean power projects. On 21 May, we published a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure. The working paper sought evidence on current shared ownership practices in the UK and whether introducing a legal requirement to offer shared ownership using powers in Section 38 Part 6 of the Infrastructure Act 2015 is appropriate. We are currently reviewing responses.
What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Drax power station on his net zero policies.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognises that bioenergy can play a significant role in decarbonising economies provided policies mitigate the use of unsustainable biomass. The low carbon dispatchable CfD mechanism will result in Drax generating more flexibly, displacing higher-emissions unabated gas plants, helping to reduce power system carbon emissions. The Government is commissioning an independent review to consider how greenhouse gas removal technologies, including power bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, can assist with UK Net Zero targets, whilst maintaining security of supply. Further details will be shared in due course.
What plans his Department has to support the installation of rooftop solar panels.
Accelerating deployment of rooftop solar panels is key to the Government’s Clean Energy mission. New building standards will be introduced to ensure that all newly built houses and commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. These standards are expected to encourage the installation of solar panels. A call for evidence about solar canopies in car parks will be published shortly. The Solar Roadmap will also contain further recommendations for industry and government to support the increased installation of rooftop solar panels. Details of other relevant policies, including the Warm Homes Plan and the work of Great British Energy, will be announced in due course.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of standing charges issued by energy suppliers on low and middle-income households.
Although standing charges are a commercial matter for suppliers and are regulated by Ofgem under the price cap, the Government knows that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on them. Ofgem’s recently published update regarding reforming standing charges outlines 3 broad options it will take forward: Consulting on introducing a zero standing charge price cap tariff in the new year;Consulting on lowering standing charges by around £10 through a review of operating costs;Reviewing whether regional standing charge price differences should remain or not as part of a review of how system costs are recovered. Ofgem’s review of standing charges considered the distributional impacts of potential changes to standing charges, and it can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/standing-charges-update-our-review. The changes Ofgem are seeking to introduce are aimed at giving consumers, including those who may be struggling with their bills, more control over their energy costs. Consumers will be able to choose the right tariff to suit their consumption pattern.
With reference to the report entitled Kind of Blue, published by the Carbon Tracker Initiative in June 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of upstream emissions of carbon capture schemes on the government's net zero targets.
As highlighted in the Climate Change Committee's CB6 report, CCUS enabled technologies, including Power, will be essential to achieving net zero. By capturing and storing carbon dioxide, CCUS significantly reduces overall emissions. Emissions from the production of natural gas must reduce significantly both in the UK and globally. Through the North Sea Transition Deal DESNZ is working with industry to cut emissions from upstream production by 50% from 2018 levels by 2030. Internationally, the UK is a member of the Global Methane Pledge to collectively reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's polices of UN Secretary-General António Guterres's call for every country to ban advertising from fossil fuel companies, dated 5 June 2024.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media and takes environmental issues into account. The ASA operates independently of Government, and I would encourage the Hon. Member to reach out to the ASA to discuss this issue further.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's policy on new oil and gas fields in the North Sea on his policies on net zero.
We plan to consult later this year on the implementation of our manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields. The Government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs.
What steps his Department is taking to help support low income households with their energy bills.
The Government believes the only way to protect billpayers permanently is to speed up the green transition towards homegrown clean energy. The creation of Great British Energy will help us harness clean energy and have less reliance on foreign, volatile energy markets and will help in our commitment to be a clean energy superpower by 2030. In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 annual rebate on energy bills for eligible low-income households. I am also having regular discussions with energy suppliers to ensure that consumers are supported this winter, especially the most vulnerable.