Thread by @timbolord

New @institutegc report out today: “UK Net Zero Strategy – the 11 questions it must answer” – building on my experience from the last 3 HMG climate strategies (in particular the Clean Growth Strategy with @claireclimate @guynewey and others). (1/n)
institute.global/policy/uks-net…

The UK has committed to a net zero strategy this year – great opportunity to set a template which the rest of the world can follow. But it’s not going to be easy. UK needs to cut emissions by 40% in ten years. If you think that sounds a lot – that’s because it is a lot. (2/n)

But the time is right: net zero can be central to our post-Brexit international role; businesses and the public are demanding action; costs are coming down; and net zero will define the 21st century economy. The work of @theCCCuk @ChiefExecCCC provides the basis. (3/n)

I’ve set out the 11 questions the NZ strategy needs to answer – hopefully a handy checklist for those holding the government to account, and for the great team of officials @beisgovuk who’ll deliver it. (4/n)

1: Principles – does it set out clear principles, with cross-party consensus, on how net zero will be achieved? I suggest focus on pace, systems, markets, and whole gov’t/society/country should underpin the strategy. (5/n)

2: Targets – does it set clear targets, with transparency on timings and what is included and excluded? International aviation and shipping particularly important here – not clear yet if they’re in or out. (6/n)

3: Pathways – does it set out a pathway to delivery of five-yearly targets to 2035 – including the role of different sectors of the economy and society, the role of government and the market, and targets for technology deployment? (7/n)

4: Technology and innovation – does it identify the technologies which will be needed for net zero, targets for when they will be deployed, and how innovation will reduce costs and deliver growth for the UK? (8/n)

5: Capital mobilisation – does it set out in detail how the hundreds of billions of pounds of investment required will be mobilised, adapted to each sector of the economy? Finance sector is gearing up, but needs investable propositions across the economy – HMG can shape that.(9/n

6: Behaviour change and engagement – does it set out what is expected of consumers and businesses, and how they will be engaged and supported to invest in new technology and change behaviours? Political conditions for action are increasingly in place – but lots to do. (10/n)

7: Fiscal impacts - does it identify the fiscal impacts of net zero and when they will arise, and set out how fiscal levers will be used to enable net zero delivery – including the future of carbon pricing and fuel taxes? Times story yesterday shows this is on the radar (11/n)

8: Growth and trade – does it give a detailed plan on where the UK can secure economic benefit from the net zero transition, and how that will be secured – both nationally and regionally? UK has done well so far – now we must identify and go after the growth opportunities. (12/n

9: Fairness – does it set out where the costs and benefits will fall, and how those most at risk from the transition will be supported? Net zero can be win-win overall – but lots of work needed to ensure all parts of the country can benefit. (13/n)

10: Local and regional – does it give clarity on the roles of national, local and regional actors in delivering net zero? National framework is important, but we need a joined up strategy at all levels. (14/n)

11: Milestones, data and governance – does it give a clear roadmap for implementation – including key decision points, milestones, data and governance to ensure delivery? @instituteforgov have set out some ideas on how to do this. (15/n)

In developing the strategy - and more importantly in implementing it - citizen engagement will be crucial. @NetZeroUK provides a great model to follow. (16/n)

Finally, notable that there's a lot of thinking to be done on what NZ strategies should cover (compared to, say, industrial strategy) – more to do on this, but some great ideas out there e.g. in this @bankfieldbecky thread from last year –

https://twitter.com/Bankfieldbecky/status/1187068749414834177

(17/Ends)