• REA says the Net Zero Strategy ‘does not move us much further forward.’
• While the ambitions and some measures such as a ZEV mandate and CCUS are welcome, there is growing concern at the lack of supportive measures;
• Significant investment in renewables and clean tech must be included in the upcoming Spending Review.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) have said the Net Zero Strategy – published today – ‘is welcome but does not move us much further forward’ in the push towards Net Zero.

The Strategy looks to build on the Government’s Ten Point Plan and the Energy White Paper, but the REA says that the detailed and wide-ranging support needed has not materialised in what should have been a landmark year.

While the REA welcomes and supports the ambitions laid out in the Strategy, they are increasingly concerned by the lack of meaningful progress to deliver on those ambitions.

The measures the REA would like to see included are: Clear routes to market; a holistic Circular Economy approach; support for a range of technologies is essential; best practice standards; tax reform to unlock investment, such as the removal of VAT on renewables and clean tech; and we need more flexibility and investment in the energy system and grid networks.

The Chancellor has been urged to deliver significant investment in the upcoming Spending Review, saying that a failure to do so will undermine efforts to meet Net Zero.

Commenting on the sustainable transport and CCUS aspects, Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“We are pleased that the Government will implement a progressive ZEV Mandate and increase support for EV charging infrastructure, sustainable aviation and measures on peat restoration and woodland growth. This continues to send a clear message to industry and consumers that zero-emission vehicles are the future of road transport in the UK. Having clearly defined zero-emission vehicle sales targets for automotive manufacturers will allow industry to accurately forecast growth in zero-emission vehicle sales. This will provide the confidence needed to increase private investment in EV charging infrastructure, improving the quantity and quality of the UK’s growing EV charging infrastructure network.  On Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS) we are pleased to see funding confirmed for two clusters and an ‘Industrial decarbonisation and hydrogen revenue support scheme’ (IDHRS).”

“There is much work to be done across the economy to prepare for Net Zero and this is therefore a vital strategy, which we look forward to seeing develop in the coming years.”

Commenting more broadly on the strategy as a whole, Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“More broadly however, this Strategy does not move us much further forward from last year when the Energy White Paper and Ten Point Plan were published. Then, we welcomed the ambitions laid out, but said there now needed to be real detailed and wide ranging support in order to meet them.

“While I welcome and support the ambitions laid out in the Strategy, I am increasingly concerned by the lack of meaningful progress on a whole range of issues.

“We need to see clear routes to market; a holistic Circular Economy approach; support for a range of clean tech and renewable technologies; best practice standards; tax reform to unlock investment, such as the removal of VAT on renewables and clean tech; and we need more flexibility and investment in the energy system and grid networks.

“There is still time for the Government to make a substantive move on Net Zero. The upcoming Spending Review is a chance to deliver the investment needed to make the energy transition a reality.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Jack Abbott, PR and Communications Manager,

07862 038370/ [email protected]

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