The Environmental Audit Committee in the UK is launching an inquiry considering how British innovation could hold the key to tackling climate change, with an early focus on offshore wind
Environmental Audit Committee chairman Philip Dunne MP said, “From wind to tidal, solar to hydrogen, there are scientists and engineers who are at the cutting edge of unearthing what could be part of the solution to a greener future. Supporting these innovators and industries is crucial if the UK is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“During this inquiry, my committee will be considering a number of different technological innovations and whether the government is grasping this potential and offering the support they need to succeed.
“The first area we will be looking at will be offshore wind, which is already contributing significantly to UK electricity generation, and I look forward to learning how we can make an even bigger success of this industry.”
The UK has taken a leading role in developing and deploying some low-carbon technologies, but the Committee on Climate Change has already identified technologies such as nuclear, which have fallen short of expectations on performance or cost.
Following the government’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal in March 2019, the committee will consider the opportunities that will maximise the industry’s potential, and the challenges it faces in delivering greater capacity.
The inquiry launch follows latest estimates that the UK is expected to exceed the target set out in the third Carbon Budget due to phasing out coal and moving towards renewable energy sources. However, it is expected that the fourth and fifth Carbon Budgets will be much more challenging to meet, and the need for innovation will be of greater significance.
The Committee is inviting written submissions to inform its first session on offshore wind. Submissions should be submitted through the committee’s web portal, and should focus on, but not be limited to:
Details on formal evidence sessions will be announced in due course.
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