Director Comments on Governments Net Zero Strategy
Sara Walker provides her view on the recently published Government Net Zero Strategy in a collection of BBC interviews, including discussions about the use of heat pumps to help with the new strategy.
20 October 2021
Director Comments on Governments Net Zero Strategy
On 19th October 2021 the UK government set out its Net Zero Strategy detailing how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050.
The strategy outlines measures to transition to a green and sustainable future, helping businesses and consumers to move to clean power, supporting job creation and leveraging up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030. It aims to reduce Britain’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and will protect consumers from global price spikes by boosting clean energy.
Centre for Energy Director Sara Walker did several media interviews in print and radio in response to the strategy, highlighting how CESI’s research in looking at the whole energy system is part of the movement towards Net Zero emissions.
Commenting in a BBC article on how energy flexibility can cut carbon and save money, she was asked how big a role can reducing demand play in smoothing the peaks of electricity use?
"There's great potential but there appears little attention on the subject at government level. We really need a strong policy signal - and we're not getting it."
Dr Sara Walker, Director
Sara also contributed to a number of BBC radio interviews this week, where she shared her expertise on the topic of heat pumps and how they may be a significant contributing factor in reaching the NetZero targets:
- In this BBC Radio 4 interview on Monday 18th October, Sara reviwed the potential of heat pumps and the finances involved with using them.
- On Tuesday 19th October, with BBC Radio Newcastle, Sara discussed the advantages of heat pumps, how they can affect energy bills of the future and the suitability of heat pumps for households across the UK.
- Questions from the public were answered by Sara on Tuesday 19th October BBC Radio 4 PM. These querries were focused on the new Government NetZero strategy. Sara spoke about the cost and practicality of heat pumps as well as other low-carbon energy alternatives.