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IET response to the Seventh Carbon Budget inquiry

The IET has responded to an inquiry from the Environmental Audit Committee regarding the Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7). 

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) welcomes the decision to undertake this inquiry, but has highlighted various components that need to be further considered if this carbon budget is to be strengthened and impactful.  

IET recommendations:

  • A whole-system approach needs to be taken to identify, address and leverage interdependencies and synergies: The next Carbon Budget should be underpinned by a robust whole-systems approach that reflects real world performance, engineering interdependencies and operational data. 

  • Increased emphasis must be given to costs and engineering deliverability: An effective Carbon Budget must be technically deliverable and economically realistic. The engineering feasibility, system design implications, and cost assumptions underpinning CB7 should be thoroughly evaluated, as current assumptions are optimistic. 

  • There needs to be greater transparency and a reassessment of imported carbon: CB7 should include a comprehensive reassessment of historical carbon budget methodologies to include greater focus on imported carbon, territorial emissions, and higher levels of transparency on modelling assumptions and forecasting. Focusing solely on territorial emissions risks shifting carbon intensive production overseas, masking the UK’s true carbon footprint; potentially creating a perverse incentive for further UK de-industrialisation as an unintended consequence.