Energy White Paper

Laws and Policies

CCLW

CCLW national policies

White paper published

In December 2020 the UK Secretary for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy issued an Energy White Paper entitled "Powering our Net Zero Future". The aim of the White Paper is to transform energy, support a green recovery from the COVID19 crisis and create a fair deal for consumers. The government estimates that the measures set out in the White Paper could reduce emissions across power, industry and buildings by up to 230MtCO2e in the period to 2032, as well as creating thousands of jobs. Among the measures proposed, the paper includes further detail on previous policies regarding a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, financial support for an extra 40 gigawatts (40GW) of new offshore wind, and £3bn in funding for home energy improvements. The paper also envisages experimentation with a number of other mechanisms to keep energy affordable for consumers. One of the key elements of the paper is the provision of details on the establishment of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, which will include a cap on emissions that is 5% lower than under the previous EU Emissions Trading Scheme and will be lowered further over time to ensure a net zero trajectory.&nbsp; The paper also sets out Government plans for nuclear energy, including the intention to create a commercially viable nuclear fusion plant by 2040. Additional funding is also intended to be made available for the development of new carbon capture and storage technologies.