Citizens’ assembly backs EVs and low-carbon heat, but unsure on nuclear and CCS

A ban on the sale of internal combustion engine cars and gas boilers should be brought forward to as soon as 2030, the pioneering citizens assembly set up to help chart the UK’s route to net-zero emissions has recommended.

Climate Assembly UK, composed of 110 members of the public who were brought together earlier this year to deliberate on how the UK can achieve cross party consensus on meeting net zero, has published its final report.

The assembly, which was selected to reflect the wider population of the UK, came together at a series of weekend-long meetings in the early part of this year to deliberate on the steps that the UK would need to take in order to meet the 2050 net zero goal.

The wide-ranging set of recommendations include a ban on sales of new gas boilers from 2030 or 2035, which was backed by 86 per cent of assembly members.

The assembly also backed zero-carbon heating with at least 80 per cent of members agreeing that hydrogen heat pumps and heat networks should each form part of the UK’s path to net zero.

An even higher proportion (94 per cent) of assembly members agreed that people in different parts of the country should be offered different zero-carbon heating solutions.

The assembly members also favoured minimal restrictions on travel, emphasising a shifting to electric vehicles and improved public transport, rather large reductions in car use.

They recommended banning the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars to 2030 to 2035.

The government’s current proposed cut off for sales of such vehicles is 2035 although transport secretary Grant Shapps said earlier this year that he is considering bring forward that date to 2032.

Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of assembly members backed grants for businesses and people to buy low-carbon cars and 66 per cent a car scrappage scheme.

Changes to VAT on energy efficiency and zero carbon heating products were endorsed by 83 per cent of the assembly, who were also overwhelmingly in favour of off and onshore wind and solar technologies for generating electricity.

However, they were “much less supportive” of bioenergy, nuclear and fossil fuels with CCS (carbon capture and storage).

More than half (56 per cent) of assembly members disagreed that fossil fuels with CCS should be part of the UK’s generation mix for getting to net zero, dwarfing the 22 per cent who believed that they ought to be.

Nearly half (46 per cent) of assembly members disagreed that nuclear energy should be part of the net zero generation mix while 34 per cent agreed. The equivalent figures for bioenergy were 40 per cent and 24 per cent.

Concerns about fossil fuels with CCS centred on safety risks in the event of carbon leaking during storage or transfer, the continued use of fossil fuels, and a feeling that it provides a “short term”, expensive solution when better alternatives are available.

Assembly members identified three main disadvantages to nuclear: cost, safety, and issues around waste storage and decommissioning.

Concerns about bioenergy included burning trees and crops, land use, environmental effects, and a feeling that better alternatives exist.

Only 42 per cent of assembly members agreed’ that Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS), which is understood to have been championed by the prime minister’s chief advisor Dominic Cummings within government, should be part of how the UK gets to net zero with 39 per cent disagreeing.

Assembly members saw DACCS, as being less natural, costly and unproven in terms of the technology they require.

Commenting on the assembly’s conclusions. Energy UK’s deputy chief executive Audrey Gallacher said: “It’s great to see the Assembly’s strong belief that reaching the Net Zero target is not only vital but achievable – and in way that can deliver widespread benefits for the UK. There’s a very clear message that our economic recovery from COVID-19 must be a Green one.”

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “As the Committee on Climate Change have shown, Net Zero means four times as much clean power as now for the UK to stop burning polluting fossil fuels. Emissions-free, reliable and secure nuclear power is needed for Net Zero – complementing wind and solar but also creating skilled, long term jobs as part of the green recovery that we need to make Net Zero happen.”