Written questions by Perkins.

If he will make an estimate of the potential impact of the expiry of the Renewables Obligation scheme in April 2027 on the number of landfill gas to energy plant closures.

The Department recognises that the planned expiry of Renewables Obligation accreditation in April 2027 for many landfill gas generators, could affect their commercial viability. The Government is exploring implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme with appropriate transitional arrangements. DESNZ, with support from Defra, intend to consult on a potential transitional arrangement later this year. Any support provided will be subject to rigorous value for money and impact assessments.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the end of the Renewables Obligation scheme on methane emissions from landfills.

DESNZ has been working with Defra to consider the potential impact of the end of the Renewables Obligation for landfill gas generation, including impacts on methane emissions. Government is exploring implementation of a long‑term methane capture scheme with appropriate transitional arrangements. DESNZ, with support from Defra, intend to consult on a potential transitional arrangement later this year. Any support provided will be subject to rigorous value for money and impact assessments.

Whether he plans to provide transitional support for the landfill gas to energy sector.

Government recognises the role that landfill gas generation can play in reducing methane emissions. As set out in the Methane Action Plan, we are committed to exploring the implementation of a long‑term methane capture scheme with appropriate transitional arrangements. The Department, with support from Defra, intends to consult later this year on transitional arrangements. No final decisions have yet been taken, and any proposals would be subject to consultation outcomes and value‑for‑money considerations.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of carbon capture, utilisation and storage on safeguarding domestic foundation industries, including cement and lime, while meeting the UK’s carbon budgets.

The emissions of some foundational industries, such as refining and cement and lime, are mainly from processes that cannot be reduced by fuel switching. The CCC have said that CCS would be responsible for 62%% of emissions reductions in the cement and lime sectors by 2050. We have signed a contract with the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement plant at Padeswood, which located in the HyNet carbon capture cluster, to receive support under the ICC business model. This will forge a cleaner future with secure, long-term jobs for workers and businesses in the cement industry. The Peak Cluster project plans to deploy CCS to decarbonise cement and lime sites in the Peak District. This could decarbonise 35% of the UK’s cement and lime emissions, as well as create and protect 3,500 jobs.

Whether he has had discussions with the Climate Change Committee on whether projections in The Seventh Carbon Budget include the levels of energy used by data centres.

The Secretary of State regularly engages with the government’s independent adviser, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), on a wide range of issues including the CCC’s Seventh Carbon Budget advice. The government will choose its own pathway and will ensure that this increases energy security, protects billpayers, and creates good, well-paid jobs while also considering future trends in energy demand.

When he plans to publish his Department's roadmap for implementing mandatory transition plan disclosure for in-scope companies.

The government ran a consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements from June to September 2025 which has now closed. The consultation included questions on the impact of transition plan disclosure, implementation options and interaction with UK Sustainability Reporting Standards. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

If he will take steps to establish a pathway and timeframe for transition plan disclosure to become mandatory for large companies.

The government ran a consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements from June to September 2025 which has now closed. The consultation included questions on the impact of transition plan disclosure, implementation options and interaction with UK Sustainability Reporting Standards. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

Whether transition plans will be integrated within the UK’s Sustainability Reporting Standards framework.

The government ran a consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements from June to September 2025 which has now closed. The consultation included questions on the impact of transition plan disclosure, implementation options and interaction with UK Sustainability Reporting Standards. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of transition plan disclosure on private sector investment for net zero transition.

The government ran a consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements from June to September 2025 which has now closed. The consultation included questions on the impact of transition plan disclosure, implementation options and interaction with UK Sustainability Reporting Standards. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that transition plan requirements are proportionate and flexible for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The government is clear that it wants any future requirements to be proportionate and that the focus will be on economically significant entities where there is likely a significant investor and public interest. As a result, small to medium-sized companies are not envisaged as being within the scope of any future requirements set by the government. The FCA has independent decision-making powers for companies in scope of any future transition plan requirements they set.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31833 on Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, when he expects discussions with Mineworkers' Pension Scheme trustees to conclude on the future of the surplus sharing arrangements.

The then Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones) met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in April and July to discuss their proposals and the analysis we had jointly commissioned. The Government is keen to reach agreement with the Trustees as swiftly as possible on changes to take effect from the September 2026 scheme valuation.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of treating biomethane in the same way as (a) other renewable fuels and (b) renewable electricity under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

The Government recognises biomethane as a practical and cost-effective way of contributing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to combustion of biomethane where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where biomethane is injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately. The ETS prices emissions from electricity generation but not from electricity use as emissions are only priced at the point of combustion. As outlined in the future policy framework for biomethane production call for evidence, the Government is working with the ETS Authority to consider whether the ETS could account for biomethane injected into the gas grid and will provide an update on this in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of anaerobic digestion plants following the end of the Renewable Obligation Certificates and feed in tariffs on (a) energy security and (b) net zero.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact that the end of Renewables Obligation support will have on security of supply, clean power 2030, carbon budgets and the environment. No decisions have been made yet on potential further support.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of designating anaerobic digestion plants as critical national infrastructure.

The Department recognises the importance of anaerobic digestion plants. Where low carbon energy infrastructure, including anaerobic digestion plants, meets the threshold for being a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the National Policy Statements already define such projects as being of Critical National Priority.

Whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure that anaerobic digestion plants supported by renewable obligation certificates and feed in tariffs remain open following the end of those schemes.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact that the end of Renewables Obligation support will have on security of supply, clean power 2030, carbon budgets and the environment. No decisions have been made yet on potential further support.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of co-locating solar and onshore wind farms access to battery energy storage systems.

A smart and flexible energy system is essential for meeting net zero. Co-locating solar and onshore wind farms with battery storage are a part of this, making it possible for the delivery of stored electricity when the wind is not blowing, or the sun does not shine.The Government is supportive of renewable energy deployment alongside other functions, such as energy storage, in order to maximise the efficiency of land use and network infrastructure.

What steps he is taking to improve accountability for oil companies responsible for oil pollution.

Oil spills from oil and gas installations are of significant concern to the Department which is why there is no minimum quantity for reporting. The number of oil spills reported to OPRED (Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning) has almost halved since 2018 and the amount of oil spilled in 2023 was at an historic low. Operators are required to report all discharges, spills and non-compliances and every case is investigated by OPRED proportionately. OPRED takes enforcement action against operators if needed, including the use of notices to improve compliance with the law, fines or referral for criminal prosecution.

Whether his Department's upcoming consultation on updated environmental guidance for offshore oil and gas projects will include measures to enact the ban in primary legislation; and when he plans to launch that consultation.

On 30 October the Government launched a public consultation on draft guidance that will help offshore operators understand how to assess end-use (scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions associated with oil and gas extraction projects in areas that have already been licensed.    This is a necessary step following the Supreme Court Finch judgment. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the finalised guidance will be published in the Spring. Separately, the Government will also shortly consult on the implementation of its manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields.

How much revenue was raised from fines of oil companies for all oil spills occurring during offshore operations in each of the last five years.

OPRED issues fines for oil spills as an alternative to criminal prosecution for the more serious offences. A maximum fine of £50,000 can be issued for the most serious of spills. Revenue raised from fines of oil companies for all oil spills occurring during offshore operations in each of the last five years was £25,000 in 2020 and a £25,000 fine due to be issued for an oil spill in 2024. No fines for oil spills were issued in the other years. OPRED has a range of other enforcement options that can be taken to ensure compliance with the law.

How many (a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) hybrid and (d) electric (i) cars, (ii) vans and (iii) other vehicles his Department hired in each of the last five years.

This information is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.