Reports and Policy briefs

Preparing to decommission the GB gas distribution system

To meet the UK’s climate targets, households will need to move away from gas. As gas use declines, it is crucial to plan for the safe and fair decommissioning of the gas network. A new policy brief, authored by Katrina Salmon and Jim Watson, recommends early government and industry preparation. February 2025.

Macro Risks In Conducive Investment Environments

This policy brief focuses on the complex landscape of macro risks that shape the investment environment for mitigation projects. It identifies investment “frontiers” – risk thresholds that define investability across various environments – offering a new perspective that challenges traditional linear models of risk. December 2024.

What are the implications of new government spending on Carbon Capture and Storage?

On 4 October 2024, the government announced £21.7bn of funding to support five Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in the UK. This briefing examines the implications of this announcement for the government’s Clean Power 2030 target, and for its broader emissions reduction goals. December 2024.

UK Electricity Policy – Seven Propositions

Electricity decarbonisation offers long-term, diverse benefits in a world of typically short-term decision-making and political pressures. The key challenge for the new government is smart policy design to deliver the investment required at low cost-of-capital, whilst minimising political risks. This document looks at a potentially challenging energy-economic context and offers seven propositions for policy. August 2024.

Critical minerals: potential next steps

The ‘Critical minerals: potential next steps’ report by Lewis Pickett, looks at what potential next steps for the new government could be when continuing with the 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy. The publication of this report follows Pickett’s, a Committee Specialist at the House of Commons, Parliamentary Fellowship at ISR in July–July 2024. In the 4-week placement he looked into the UK’s progress on the Critical Minerals Strategy, speaking to academics from across the institute with specialisms in mining, circular economy, international development, and energy policy. July 2024.

The Introduction of a UK CBAM

The new government will need to decide how to deal with the challenge of decarbonising UK industry while avoiding being undercut by imports of high carbon products from overseas. In this response to a recent consultation from HMRC and the Treasury, ISR researchers welcome the introduction of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), but point out that this should align with other policies to address carbon leakage. We also discuss the use of revenues collected from imported goods. June 2024.

Keeping the power on: our future energy technology mix - supplementary evidence 

In March 2024, ISR Director Jim Watson appeared in front of the Energy Security and Net Zero committee as an expert witness on their inquiry about our future energy technology mix. Following on from this session we were asked to provide supplementary written evidence to complement our original submission. We answered questions on hydrogen, the cost of a net zero energy system, and the future of nuclear. May 2024.

Economics of the energy sector

In April 2024 ISR researchers responded to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee inquiry on the Economics of the energy sector. This covers the underlying principles of the energy market, what reforms are needed and whether the government can deliver these. April 2024.

Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) 2

In October 2022 the ISR responded to the first Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation. This is our response to the second, follow up consultation, which has been updated in June 2024 with an additional appendix and some developed content. This includes our opinions on the ‘Deemed CfD’, the case for new unabated gas investment, and the exclusion of the Green Power Pool. June 2024.

Transitioning large-scale biomass generators to carbon capture

UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources respond to government consultation: In February 2024, ISR researchers responded to a government consultation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The consultation looks at possible transitional support for large biomass electricity generators from 2027, when their current subsidy system runs out, as they transition to Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) plants. Our evidence cautions against overcompensation, urging that the transition support should have a clear end date, and includes criteria which need to be met to make BECCS sustainable. February 2024.

Long Duration Electricity Storage

Response from the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources and Energy Institute to government consultation: In March 2024, researchers from both UCL ISR and UCL EI responded to a consultation on enabling investment for developing long duration electricity storage (LDES). LDES will be an essential part of our decarbonised electricity system, providing electricity at times of low generation, and flexibility to the grid. Generally, our evidence agreed with the proposals, but we were concerned there was too much of a focus on efficiency, when we don’t want to exclude truly long-term storage options. March 2024.

Energy Policy in Great Britain: Researchers from UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Resources and Energy Institute respond to government’s policy priorities

In August 2023 researchers from UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Resources and Energy Institute presented our view on the proposed Strategy and Policy Statement for energy policy in Great Britain. In general, we felt the document covered the right headline strategic priorities, but there were some significant absences in the detail. August 2023.

Our future energy technology mix: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources and Energy Institute researchers respond to inquiry with focus on non-technology approaches for a green transition

In August 2023, researchers from UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Resources and Energy Institute jointly responded to an inquiry from the new Energy Security and Net Zero Committee in the House of Commons. In our evidence we highlight the inquiry’s apparent prioritisation of ‘new’ generation technology, rather than tried and true solutions and non-technology approached such as energy demand reduction. August 2023.

Reinvigorating our approach to international development: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources respond to FCDO call for evidence

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) put out a call for evidence in July 2023 on the UK’s approach to global development. Our response highlighted the importance of stability and trust for developing partnerships and incorporating local knowledge and expertise, which will be essential for meeting Sustainable Development Goals. The governments response has now been published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-unveils-white-paper-to-set-approach-to-global-development. September 2023.

The Role of Natural Capital in the Green Economy

Researchers from UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources and across UCL respond to inquiry on natural capital, building on recent research which assessed existing financial schemes such as biodiversity offsets. The inquiry touched on how to align investments with environmental benefits, and the problem of ‘greenwashing’. September 2023.

Energy security: a sustainable strategy for the UK - a policy briefing by Jim Watson and Kathy Page of the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources

In the briefing, Jim Watson and Kathy Page discuss the background of the current energy crisis, and outline in clear terms what ‘energy security’ actually means. They assess whether current UK energy policies are fit for purpose, providing a timely reminder that we are heading into what is likely to be another difficult winter. Crucially, the briefing sets out five key recommendations of what should be included in an improved energy security strategy, including: action to reduce energy demand; a social tariff, rapid deployment of non-fossil energy sources at scale, a strategy to manage the decline of UK oil and gas, and monitoring and managing the full range of energy security risks - this includes the risks associated with the legacy fossil fuel energy system, and emerging risks associated with critical materials, digitalisation and interconnection. November 2023.

UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources researchers give their response to the UK government's Biomass strategy

In August 2023 the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published their biomass strategy. The UK government says biomass has a ‘major role to play’ in building a truly green economy - biomass can be used as fuel for transport, heat and electricity generation, as well as being the starting material for decarbonising other important sectors, such as chemicals. The UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources has given its analysis and advice on the use of biomass in achieving net zero. August 2023.

Preparing for the winter: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources researchers respond to inquiry with call for a social tariff on energy bills

In August 2023, researchers from the energy markets team at the Institute for Sustainable Resources responded to an inquiry from the new Energy Security and Net Zero Committee in the House of Commons. In our evidence we call for better protections for vulnerable consumers from inflated energy prices, including implementing a social tariff, and explain how a rehaul of the energy market could benefit both consumers and net zero. Learn more about the response: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7829/preparing-for-the-winter/publications/written-evidence/. August 2023.

Addressing carbon leakage risk to support decarbonisation: Response from the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources to the UK Government Consultation

In June 2023, ISR researchers responded to a government consultation from the Treasury and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The consultation covers a range of potential policy measures to mitigate future carbon leakage risk, and support decarbonisation, including a carbon border adjustment mechanism and mandatory product standards. Here ISR researchers on embodied environmental impacts, life cycle assessment and energy policy have contributed their expertise. June 2023.

Zambia's Green Growth Strategy: researchers from ISR, the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research and the University of Ghana publish their final report, 'Greening the Recovery in Zambia'

The report is a key outcome from a two-year research collaborative research project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The project team consisted of researchers and experts from UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, UCL Energy Institute and the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP), led by Professor Jim Watson. The UCL team have collaborated throughout the project with teams from the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research and the University of Ghana. The funder is UKRI via the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). February 2023.

Environmental Change and Food Security: ISR and CBER researchers respond with new evidence of biodiversity impacts

In December 2022 researchers at the Institute for Sustainable Resources and the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research jointly responded to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry on Environmental change and food security. Our evidence centred around some new research looking at the UK’s consumption-based biodiversity footprint, and revealed which of the products we import and consume are most vulnerable to changes in biodiversity driven by climate change. December 2022.

The future UK-EU relationship on environment and climate change matters

In October 2022 ISR researchers responded to an inquiry from the House of Lords European Affairs Committee on The future UK-EU relationship. In particular our evidence focussed on the ‘Environment and climate change’ section, looking at alignment between the UK and EU on regulation, energy security, and other areas of environmental policy. October 2022.

Net Zero and economic growth in the UK: Response from the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources to the UK Government call for evidence

In September 2022 the BEIS Secretary of State commissioned an independent review of the UK governments approach to net zero targets, led by Chris Skidmore MP. Here researchers from the ISR and Energy Institute respond to the review call for evidence and consider how net zero actions can deliver economic growth across the UK. We recommend actions for the government to support businesses and consumers to decarbonise, and how to balance net zero priorities with energy security, amongst other insights. October 2022.

Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation: Response from UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources

This policy brief responded to the BEIS consultation on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, intended to identify reforms needed to transition to a decarbonised, cost effective and secure electricity system. October 2022.

Business model for power bioenergy with carbon capture and storage consultation: Response from UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, the CO2RE consortium, and researchers at the University of Southampton

This policy brief was a response to The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's recent call for proposals for a business model to incentivise deployment of power bioenergy and carbon capture (BECCS) within the UK, covering topics such as the availability of sustainable fuel, and how power-BECCS may fit into the wider electricity system. October 2022.

Policy brief: Greening the COVID-19 Recovery in Ghana: Electricity investment needs to meet the GH-NDC targets

This policy brief from the Greening the Recovery in Ghana and Zambia project discusses the electricity investment needs to meet the GH-NDC targets. 2021.

Policy brief: Vision for the future of plastics

In this policy brief, researchers from the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub at UCL outline a Vision for the Future of Plastics. 

Briefing paper: How can a green recovery from COVID-19 be achieved in Ghana?

This policy brief from the Greening the Recovery in Ghana and Zambia project discusses how Ghana can achieve a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Briefing paper: Greening the Recovery in Ghana and Zambia

The final version of the Greening the Recovery in Ghana and Zambia project briefing has been published. March 2021.

Briefing paper: COVID-19 Recovery in Zambia: An opportunity for inclusive climate action

Researchers publish a new policy briefing for Greening the Recovery in Ghana and Zambia project. September 2021.

Policy Brief: Decarbonising Buildings 

Strong governance structures and policies will be required to decarbonise European homes. 

Policy Brief: Biochar for Decarbonisation

Biochar can remove carbon from the atmosphere but, like other negative emissions technologies, its wide diffusion will require strong policy support.

Policy Brief: Decarbonisation Pathways

Opportunities and challenges of the EU transition to a carbon netral economy.

Policy Brief: Innovation for Decarbonisation

Harnessing low-carbon innovation and its co-benefits to support the rapid decarbonisation of European economies.

Policy Brief: Decarbonisation and labour markets

Climate policies and green subsidies change the labour market and the skill composition of the workforce. 

Policy Brief: Decarbonising Electricity

Delivering net-zero electricity by 2040 in a just transition. 

Policy Brief: Decarbonisation Transport

Electric vehicles for cars and a mix of alternative technologies and fuels in other markets, can decarbonise EU transport.