Responding to the publication of the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) seventh carbon budget (CB7), a Future Energy Networks (FEN) spokesperson said:
“We share the CCC’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis, but the findings of this report dramatically understate the potential of our gas networks to play a major role in reaching Net Zero.
“Outside of the welcome proposal for a hydrogen transmission network, the committee’s narrow focus on electrification, with a very limited role for renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane, risks pursuing a less deliverable pathway to Net Zero.
“Over half a million businesses rely on the gas distribution network, many of which we know will find it hard to electrify. There must be another option for these businesses to avoid offshoring our industrial emissions, jobs and economic activity.
“Through transporting even more green gas, further reducing network emissions and providing flexibility for wider energy system change, our world class gas networks have the potential to play a critical role in helping the UK lead the way on climate action.”