The Energy and Climate Change Committee's (ECCC) inquiry was launched in March to explore the main challenges with, and potential solutions to, meeting the UK's 2020 renewable energy targets for heat and transport.
The Committee invited responses on whether the Government have the right policies in place to meet its 2020 renewable energy targets in the heat and transport sectors, and how might a whole systems approach across the power, heat and transport sectors be utilised to ensure the 2020 targets are met. It also asked respondents to what extent is electrification of heat and transport a viable approach up to 2020 and beyond and asked for insights into the challenges to decarbonising heat and transport over the longer-term.
ICE noted that with concern the evidence from a number of sources, including internal Government correspondence indicating that the UK's overall 2020 renewable energy target will not be met, with a shortfall against 2020 target of around 50 TWh or 3.5%.
The submission acknowledged that affordability and security of supply are as important as decarbonisation. Effective and timely decision-making, with early action to rectify any projected non-achievement, is essential to address all three elements of this energy 'trilemma'. There must, it said, be an open and transparent process for assessing progress towards targets.
According to the written submission, clarity and consistency is needed from Government, in how energy policy will lead to achieving carbon reduction targets in the long term. To give confidence to industry and investors, a better framework for long term strategy is needed with "better collaboration between government and industry" and "key is trust and certainty".
With access to a vast depth of knowledge and expertise, ICE is leading the infrastructure debate and has a long history of responding to Government calls for evidence. Many of our recommendations have been picked up as Government policy, including several from the recent 'Energy storage: Realising the potential' report.
ICE is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. Established in 1818, we have over 91,000 members in 161 countries. Our vision is to place civil engineering the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. We have long worked with government to help it to achieve its objectives. We also work with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy.
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