NEWS | NET ZERO REVIEW On a mission Chris Skidmore s net zero review addresses the big issues around decarbonisation and urges industry to act now, says Baxi s Jeff House Mission zero: Independent review of net zero was published on 13 January 2023, commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to consider how net zero targets could be reached while continuing to increase energy security and affordability. The review has been billed as the largest national engagement on net zero, with more than 1,800 written submissions and 52 roundtable evidence sessions. Over six chapters, the report covers a lot of ground and concludes that the decisions we dont take now will only become more expensive. Seizing the current momentum could unlock a trillion pounds of international inward investment. For building services engineers, the content on decarbonising heat is of most interest. There is a pressing need to address energy efficiency 44 February 2023 www.cibsejournal.com while transitioning to low carbon forms of heat generation. In this regard, the review does not offer new insight, but does bring together several recommendations that have been part of general policy discourse for some time. Energy efficiency and the need to address poor fabric performance in existing buildings is rightly a focus area. The need to reduce heat loads represents not only an imperative for consumer energy savings, but also a systemic issue. At present, the natural gas grid delivers four times more energy than the electricity grid in winter. This means that peak heat loads will, perhaps, be one of the more challenging issues to address in terms of infrastructure capacity, supply resilience and cost-effectiveness. Regarding building-level technology, the review concludes that solar is the cheapest form of renewable energy to take forward, which also benefits the energy system with decentralised generation. In terms of heat, electrification and particularly heat pumps is billed as a central technology. The potential for decarbonisation of the gas network with green gas, including hydrogen, is discussed, as is the need for large-scale demonstration projects. Finally, district heat is recognised as a means of local demand consolidation and efficient delivery of heat. Building on the ambition in the BEIS Heat and Buildings Strategy, this review proposes a ban on the sale of natural gas-fired appliances two years earlier than planned, by 2033. The need for change is clear and leading manufacturers are investing heavily in low carbon alternatives. Policy certainty, rather than stated ambition, will help drive change and focus efforts. JEFF HOUSE is external affairs and policy director at Baxi