UK Government Commits to Greater Parliamentary Debate on Seventh Carbon Budget Net Zero Targets

The UK government has agreed to give MPs a half-day debate in the House of Commons to scrutinize the Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7), which targets an 87% emissions cut by 2042 compared to 1990 levels. This follows recommendations from the Environmental Audit Committee, marking a significant increase in parliamentary oversight after the Sixth Carbon Budget received only 17 minutes of debate. The government will also publish a delivery plan for CB7 once Parliament approves the budget level. The response includes a commitment to include UK international aviation and shipping emissions in future carbon budgets, addressing concerns about outsourcing emissions. However, the government did not fully address the Committee's recommendation to move more electricity policy costs onto general taxation to reduce bills. The Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee emphasized that bringing down electricity costs is critical to making electrification affordable and protecting UK industries and jobs.