Zero Carbon Campaign Initiates Carbon Pricing Inquiry
The BEIS Select Committee held their second 'Future of UK Carbon Pricing' inquiry on Thursday 12th November, following the Zero Carbon Campaign's pitch to the My BEIS Inquiry process.
Whilst the first session gathered evidence from carbon pricing and industry specialists, the second session saw BEIS Minister Kwasi Kwarteng questioned about the lack of clarity relating to the UK's post Brexit carbon pricing framework, as well as the Government's intention to align carbon pricing policy to the UK's net zero target.
We were pleased to contribute to the framing of the session, and watched avidly from the (virtual) sidelines as some of our questions were answered by the Minister. In fact, we were so excited by the whole thing that Head of Campaign Hannah Dillon was moved to live tweet about it:
Good to see @darrenpjones pressing @KwasiKwarteng on whose decision it is to determine the future of UK #carbonpricing. Minister confirms it is his brief, but not exclusively the prerogative of BEIS to make the call. Decision will be made "before the end of the transition period" https://t.co/K9sJlZF9TZ
— Hannah Dillon (@iamhannahdillon) November 12, 2020
Our take? We're thrilled to have kick-started an inquiry on carbon pricing, and are very pleased that our concerns are being taken so seriously by the Committee. Reassurances from the Minister that emissions reductions are 'front and centre' of Government thinking were helpful, but the lack of decision regarding post Brexit pricing is hugely concerning (for businesses yes, but also for what it says about the UK's climate ambition).
In more optimistic news, it's great that the Government views COP26 as a core vehicle for driving climate action, and that they believe the UK is a strong position to drive an ambitious international climate agenda, including through consideration of Border Carbon Adjustments (we've made our views on this topic quite clear in our Declaration).
However, more than anything, we are adamant that a decision on post-Brexit carbon pricing is just the start of this conversation. Whether the Government goes with their proposal for a UK Emissions Trading Scheme or a carbon emissions tax, two thirds of the UK's territorial emissions will still remain un-priced. Where emissions are priced, neither proposed pricing system currently aligns with the UK's net zero target.
All together now: if we want to reach net zero, we need to put a proper price on pollution.
