Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE President of the Royal Academy of Engineering welcomed last Friday’s publication of the ‘Net Zero Review: UK could do more to reap economic benefits of green growth’ report by former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore.
Sir Jim says: “I welcome the publication of the Mission Zero review, with 129 recommendations that bring together many of the key enablers of a faster and better transition. Crucially, this report echoes calls from the engineering profession and beyond about the need for joined up decision making processes for policies and infrastructure, driven by a net zero delivery body at the heart of government and enabled by public engagement and empowering local communities to plan and act. We also strongly welcome the emphasis placed on overlooked but crucial and value-unlocking issues of materials and circular economy, energy efficiency, building regulations, planning, nature, and place-based approaches.”
“With less than 30 years to meet the government’s own target for decarbonising the economy, it is imperative that policymakers can confidently take rapid actions alongside more complex and longer-term decisions. The UK’s ability to decarbonise at sufficient speed and scale, and to attract the necessary investment to deliver the transition, is dependent on key decisions made by government now.”
“Crucially, this review properly emphasises the many benefits of pursuing a path to net zero and the risks of not doing so. Transitioning to net zero is in fact an opportunity to capture benefits for everyone through the creation of new markets, industries, innovation and skills development. This review is correct to place importance on delivering a supportive environment for mission-led R&D and demonstration projects so that the UK can become a hub of late-stage R&D investment and unleash net zero innovation.”
“Mission Zero sets a challenge to government, engineers and all of society to begin in earnest the delivery and implementation of the net zero vision. The engineering profession is eager to supercharge and co-ordinate the net zero projects, operations and innovations that are ongoing to accelerate progress and prosperity at a crucial time.”
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