Dr Nina Skorupska CBE
Chief Executive, Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA)
The last-minute watering down of agreements at COP26 left an air of pessimism, but where are we on the road to net zero?
In terms of success stories, the decarbonisation of electricity over the last decade has been significant. In 2010, less than 5% of electricity generation came from renewable energy and clean technologies. That figure stood at 42% last year and is expected to soon exceed 50%. By 2032, the REA believes a completely decarbonised electricity grid should be possible.
Lack of attention for heat generation
However, when it comes to heat generation, there is a vastly contrasting picture. While electricity-generating technologies have benefited from Government support in the form of feed-in tariffs, the Renewable Obligation and Contracts for Difference, heat has not received the same level of attention.
The Government’s recent stated ambitions on heat pumps within homes and the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme are welcome in the domestic sector. Yet real progress remains slow.
While the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has helped, less than 7% of heat came from renewable sources in 2020, suggesting we have long way to go. Back in March the Government closed this heat support to commercial and industrial projects, with nothing of equivalence to take its place.
The Government’s recent stated ambitions on heat pumps within homes and the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme are welcome in the domestic sector. Yet real progress remains slow – heat policy today is not expected to make a significant enough dent in helping households or businesses to move away from fossil fuel boilers.
Transitioning to a net zero future
Overall, policy is moving in the right direction but not fast enough. Yes, there has been some headway made in transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards a net zero future. There have been supportive policies and much-needed investment from the Government. The targets that the Government have committed to are ambitious and necessary.
But despite these positives, it remains the case that the energy transition is seriously lacking in some areas. The Government’s approach to policy and investment is often patchy, short-term and restricted to a select few technologies. It goes without saying that targets are largely immaterial if there is not a coherent and consistent strategy to meet them.It is crucial that net zero is not pushed down the agenda now that we are on the other side of COP26. If 2021 was the year to try and coalesce international efforts, 2022 has to be the year in which the Government accelerates and expands its net zero programme here in the UK. It will be a critical 12 months in this decisive decade.