UK government disbands Energy Efficiency Taskforce

Rishi Sunak’s government has dissolved the Energy Efficiency Taskforce, a group established to oversee initiatives aimed at reducing the country’s energy use by 15% by 2030. The decision to disband the group follows recent shifts that rolled back a number of key net zero policies and eliminated the requirement for landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties.

The taskforce, chaired by the energy efficiency minister Lord Callanan and former NatWest CEO Dame Alison Rose, was established in March. It was responsible for initiatives related to improving home insulation and upgrading boilers to more efficient models. In its short lifespan, the group held four meetings, with Dame Alison Rose resigning in July at the behest of energy security secretary Grant Shapps.

The taskforce’s dissolution was announced by Lord Callanan in a letter to its members, where he explained that their work would be integrated into other government activities. This decision comes in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent policy changes, which included delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and the phasing out of gas boilers.

The taskforce, which was made up of 15 members with expertise in various fields related to energy efficiency, aimed to achieve a significant reduction in energy demand across the economy. Its objectives included reducing energy demand in buildings, cutting energy bills, and promoting sustainability measures such as household insulation and boiler upgrades.

The decision to dissolve the taskforce has raised concerns among climate scientists and environmental experts, who worry about the implications for consumers and the UK’s global leadership on climate issues. The move is seen as a step back from the country’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy use.

While the government reassures that the taskforce’s work will continue within other departments, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect the UK’s progress toward its 2030 energy reduction target.

Here is some of the comment on Twitter about this latest blow to the UK’s progress on energy efficiency and net-zero.

Jess Ralston, analyst the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU): “Wow. Has the government given up on insulation altogether? This taskforce was comprised of experts in the field and costs next to nothing to run. Why disband it when insulation can literally save people money on bills this winter?”

Tony Juniper, chair of natural England, said: “For decades it has been clear that the simplest no regrets step for cutting emissions is energy efficiency. It is also the policy that can most quickly help hard pressed people on low incomes. I find, therefore, this to be a very surprising decision.”

Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts: “It now seems like the Prime Minister is attacking environmental policies with a religious fervour…and, in doing so, is making household bills MORE expensive.”

Kevin Maguire, associate editor of Daily Mirror: “Backtrack Britain. Set up in March by Sunak, scrapped in September by Sunak. Landlords will be thrilled.”