EWS | DIGEST IN BRIEF Decarbonisation delay would be catastrophic economic self-harm The author of the recently published government review of its 2050 decarbonisation target has warned that delaying the UKs transition to net zero will result in catastrophic economic self-harm. Speaking in a House of Commons debate on the governments Energy Bill on 5 September, former energy minister Chris Skidmore Net zero minister hails wind power, but opposes Ulez Claire Coutinho signals green intent after replacing Grant Shapps The governments new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero hailed the remarkable success of the UKs offshore wind power industry in her maiden speech as an MP. Claire Coutinho was appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a reshuffle triggered by said the UK faced the choice of reaping the economic benefits of accelerating progress on meeting net zero, or delaying. He added: The rest of the world has woken up to the reality that the energy transition is here to stay. Gove faces legal challenge by M&S Marks & Spencer has launched New Secretary of State Claire Coutinho her predecessor, Grant Shapps, moving to fill the role of Secretary of State for Defence, left vacant after Ben Wallace stepped down. Previously a junior minister at the Department for Education, Coutinho has only been an MP since 2019, and has been in government for less than a year after being appointed parliamentary under-secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions last October, by Sunaks predecessor, Liz Truss. The East Surrey MP is a member of the Conservative Environment Network and led its campaign to rewild the green belt. In her maiden speech to the Commons, she also described offshore wind as one of the most remarkable success stories in the UK today. However, Coutinho posted on X, formerly Twitter, that she was disappointed that Londons Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, had won a court battle to expand the ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) for older, polluting vehicles into the outer part of the capital. a legal challenge against the decision by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, to refuse controversial plans to redevelop its flagship store on Londons Oxford Street. The retailer announced on 31 August that it has launched a judicial review of the governments decision not to allow it to demolish the 1929 art deco-style Orchard House, which has become a cause clbre within the wider debate about whether it is more sustainable to redevelop or retrofit buildings. Make Raac schools net zero, say MPs Schools that are being forced to close because of safety fears over RAAC concrete should be net zero compliant when rebuilt, the chair of parliaments Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has urged. The enforced full or partial closures of more than 100 schools, triggered by heightened concerns over the lightweight concrete, present an opportunity for sustainability concerns to be addressed when they are replaced, said Philip Dunne MP. The rebuilding programme should incorporate energy efficiency as standard to enable new buildings to be decarbonised. Currently, the education estate emits the largest volume of carbon emissions in the public estate, and there is a key opportunity to make these new, safe buildings net zero compliant to stem damaging emissions. On 18 October, the EAC will hold a one-off evidence session with the Department for Education (DfE) on the findings of a recently published National Audit Office report into the DfEs environmental sustainability. The committee would like to hear the views of stakeholders on the report. Submit your comments via its evidence portal at bit.ly/CJRaccEv or email eacom@parliament.uk by 6 October. Introducing state of the art CO2 heat pumps From 300 kW to 1.8 MW www.sav-systems.com/fenagy 8 October 2023 www.cibsejournal.com