The Energy and Climate change Committee has launched an inquiry into meeting renewable energy targets in heat and transport.
Under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, the then government agreed to achieve 15% of energy consumption from renewable sources. Electricity has proven to be the relatively easy part. Heat and transport less so, with the Committee on Climate Change warning that heat and transport targets may be missed. Moreover, there is concern that some renewable transport fuels may cause more carbon emissions than they save..
Secretary of State Amber Rudd also urged fellow department heads late last year to make progress or risk failing to meet the legally binding obligations.
Any suggestions?
The Committee hopes to explore the main challenges to meeting the heat and transport components of the Directive, and identify potential solutions. It invites responses to any or all of the following questions:
- Does the Government have the right policies in place to meet its 2020 renewable energy targets in the heat and transport sectors, and if not where are policies missing or inadequate?
- How could a whole systems approach across the power, heat and transport sectors be utilised to ensure the 2020 targets are met?
- To what extent is electrification of heat and transport a viable approach up to 2020 and beyond?
- What are the challenges (regulatory, technological, behavioural, and others) to decarbonising heat and transport over the longer-term and how might these be overcome?
Responses must be submitted by 18 April and must be no more than 3,000 words. Submit a response here.
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