• CCC report makes for ‘very sober reading’ – REA say that there are ‘gaps in policy, inconsistent support and missed opportunities’;
• Delayed Heat and Buildings Strategy, Green Homes Grant closure and VAT on clean technology installations all cited as problem areas;
• Government must match rhetoric with action to achieve net zero.
• CCC report makes for ‘very sober reading’ – REA say that there are ‘gaps in policy, inconsistent support and missed opportunities’;
• Delayed Heat and Buildings Strategy, Green Homes Grant closure and VAT on clean technology installations all cited as problem areas;
• Government must match rhetoric with action to achieve net zero.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) have responded to the Climate Change Committee’s 2021 Progress Report to Parliament.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of the REA, said that the report makes for ‘very sober reading’, adding that gaps in policy, inconsistent support and missed opportunities are undermining the government’s net zero ambitions.

The REA say that the delays to the publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy coupled with the closure of the Non-Domestic RHI have left a policy vacuum around heat decarbonisation. In addition, the controversial closure of the Green Homes Grant impacted confidence in the sector after a challenging year.

The UK’s largest trade association has also reiterated its demands for the lowering of VAT on clean technology installations from 20%, pointing to the fact that fossil fuel supplies continue to be set at 5%.

Dr Skorupska said that the government must start matching their rhetoric with action if the UK is to achieve net zero.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“The Climate Change Committee’s Progress report makes for very sober reading. At the REA we recognise and share the frustrations that the report outlines. In too many areas there are gaps in policy, inconsistent support and missed opportunities.

“Take the Heat and Buildings Strategy, for example. This was meant to be a landmark document which would set the agenda for heat decarbonisation over the next decade. It was meant to be published last year, but we are still waiting. Coupled with the closure of the Non-Domestic RHI in March, this significant delay has left a policy vacuum for our sector.

“In addition, the Green Homes Grant debacle really knocked industry confidence after a challenging year, and we are disappointed that our pleas for a VAT reduction on domestic clean technologies – in particular, domestic energy storage – have fallen on deaf ears. Warm words on net zero ambitions do not stack up when clean technologies installations are subject to 20% VAT and fossil fuel supplies continue to be set at just 5%.

“If the UK government is to meet its very welcome ambitions on net zero, there needs to be consistent, robust and long-term policy frameworks in place. There needs to be confidence that the government will abide by its commitments and they need to be proactive and responsive to our industry’s needs. We call on the government to immediately implement these policy measures and grab the low hanging fruit on offer to unleash investment and aid the green recovery.

“As this report demonstrates, the government must urgently match their rhetoric with action if we are to have any chance of achieving net zero.”

—ENDS—

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Notes to editors:

About the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA):
The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (known as the REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power and the Circular Economy. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation representing fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.

For more information, visit: www.r-e-a.net