Global S&T Development Trend Analysis Platform of Resources and Environment
It’s time to think more radically if the UK is to deliver the net zero emissions target | |
Simon Skillings | |
2020-01-29 | |
出版年 | 2020 |
国家 | 欧洲 |
领域 | 气候变化 |
英文摘要 |
The eminent economist John Maynard Keynes is often attributed with an acerbic response to criticism about his consistency: ‘When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?’ Whilst there is little evidence that he said this, the sentiment holds valuable lessons for us all. We tend to have beliefs about the world based on assumptions that seem so obvious they are rarely, if ever, challenged. This enables us to efficiently navigate the complexities of everyday life. And there are few issues more complex than energy market and regulatory design. It therefore comes as little surprise that the current policy conversation is dominated by incremental changes to the same basic structure. How do we make transmission charging more cost reflective? Can we reduce the time it takes for customers to switch supplier? What fiscal incentives might encourage people to install low carbon heating? Why isn’t there a ‘Pot 1’ feed-in-tariff for onshore wind? Etc. Etc. Unfortunately, these discussions fail to recognise that the world has changed. Delivering a net zero emissions target takes us into new territory – not just in terms of the extent of the changes required, but in the timescales over which they must be achieved. The current framework has failed to keep us on track with the previous carbon budgets designed to meet a far less challenging target. There is little evidence that any of the measures currently being discussed have the potential to create the step change that is needed. This should come as little surprise. The basic market and regulatory structures were designed to optimise the operation of an existing set of infrastructures and not to rapidly transform the asset base. I would highlight three key limitations of the current model:
Net zero delivery requires a learning governance system that combines deployment and innovation processes. We have moved on from the decade of creating options to one where choices must be made. Whilst Government can own some big, high profile issues such as nuclear power, a series of decisions need to be made across the whole energy system at both national and local level and this means taking big risks on behalf of consumers. Which decisions need to be made now and which can be kept open for a later date? How do we ensure these are based on consistent and up-to-date knowledge, informed by the latest learning from deployment activities? Are we sure innovation spend is focused on solving the most important challenges and will it yield results in time for us to make key choices in the future? Are market and regulatory mechanisms focused on achieving the outcomes necessary, efficiently and in the best interests of consumers? Are we minimising the investment and operational costs of the transition? The election of a new Government, committed to the net zero target and with a strong parliamentary majority, provides the political opportunity for these important questions to be addressed. However, the window for radical thinking will not remain open for long. Now is the time to open our minds to new ideas about how we run our energy system. The world has changed. What do you do, sir? Simon will be discussing these issues with Nigel Cornwall, Laura Sandys, Catherine Mitchell, and a host of key industry figures on 27 February, 11 - 16.30, at Squire Patton Boggs, 7 Devonshire Square, London |
URL | 查看原文 |
来源平台 | E3G |
文献类型 | 科技报告 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/274025 |
专题 | 气候变化 |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | Simon Skillings. It’s time to think more radically if the UK is to deliver the net zero emissions target,2020. |
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