MPs launch inquiry into how much ‘going green’ will cost UK households

MPs have launched a new inquiry exploring the government’s long-term plans to decarbonise the UK economy on the path to net zero by 2050. 

The cross-party Environmental Audit Committee will consider the measures needed to achieve the Seventh Carbon Budget, which covers the years 2038-2042, and how the costs of delivering it will filter through to households and businesses. 

Carbon budgets, established by the Climate Change Act 2008, cap the total greenhouse gases the UK can emit over five-year periods. Six have been set so far; the UK is currently in the period covered by the fourth carbon budget (2023-2027).

This year the Climate Change Committee published its latest advice on the Seventh Carbon Budget, detailing how much emissions need to reduce by and how this can be supported by technology, behaviour change and a growing economy.

Meanwhile, the government is due to publish a revised delivery plan for the Sixth Carbon Budget by the end of October. The High Court ruled the previous plan unlawful as it did not provide enough evidence to demonstrate how the UK would meet emissions targets.

As part of their work, the MPs will look at how the costs of delivering the Seventh Carbon Budget will be distributed across households, businesses and regions, and what is needed to ensure fairness, resilience and public support.

It will also look at proven technology solutions such as heat pumps with those still emerging, such as carbon capture.

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