Subscribe now: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ACAST | Stitcher | YouTube | Google Podcasts | RSS
Recently, Rishi Sunak announced significant changes to the UK's net zero pathway. A ban on the sale of combustion engines has been pushed back to 2035, instead of a 100% phase out of gas boilers by 2035, this has been changed to 80%, and he’s scrapped energy efficiency targets for homes.
What is the impact of the announcement? Who will it affect? How will it alter the UK's path to net zero?
Joining us today is Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, an independent, statutory body which advises the government on climate change.
Paul was until this year also a member of the CCC.
Zooming In: discussion questions
Every week, we share a set of questions designed for A Level economics students to discuss, written by teacher Will Haines.
- Explain the distinction between policy and politics in the conversation about net zero?
- Describe the challenges in the renewable energy sector and what more needs to be done to achieve clean energy production?
- Having listened to this conversation, do you feel more or less optimistic that the UK will achieve net zero by 2050?
Host
Paul Johnson
Paul has been the Director of the IFS since 2011. He is also currently visiting professor in the Department of Economics at University College London.
Participants
Chris Stark
Chris Stark has been Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee since April 2018. His previous role was Director of Energy and Climate Change in the Scottish Government, leading the development of Scotland’s approach to emissions reduction and the accompanying energy system transition.
More from IFS
Understand this issue
Policy analysis
Academic research
