Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the sites currently listed in the current nuclear National Policy Statement EN-6, will be included in the forthcoming EN-7.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department recently consulted on a proposed policy for siting new nuclear power stations after 2025, which set out a criteria based approach. While EN-7 will be the primary basis for development consent decisions on nuclear power stations after 2025, we recognise that the sites listed in EN-6 are likely to retain many inherent advantages. EN-6 will not be withdrawn, and we expect it to remain an important and relevant consideration in any planning decision for projects at any of the sites listed in EN-6.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much of their overseas aid budget is spent directly on climate mitigation and adaptation; and how much of that is spent or allocated to countries in (1) Africa, (2) the Middle East, and (3) South Asia.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In 2020 the UK spent over £1.3 billion of Official Development Assistance addressing climate change through multilateral and bilateral channels. Of this at least £224 million of bilateral climate finance was spent in Africa, £2 million in the Middle East (through the "SEED OPTs" programme), and £81 million in South Asia. The UK's main climate programme in the Middle East ("PHENOMENAL") started the following year in 2021. In line with our international obligations our official International Climate Finance figures are reported through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, for which 2020 is the most recent year of reporting.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Minister of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities when she stated that they "intend to do a fuller review of the national planning policy framework to ensure it contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation as fully as possible" (HC Deb col 787), when they will do so.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
The existing National Planning Policy Framework is clear that the planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future. Plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change, taking into account the long-term implications, in line with the objectives and provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008.
We will publish proposed changes to national planning policy in due course, including those arising from the introduction of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act and the creation of National Development Management Policies.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Earl Howe on 4 September (HL Deb col 282), whether the consultation on their approach to measuring and reducing embodied carbon in new buildings will be launched before the end of the year; and which “specific interventions” will be included in the consultation.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
The Government remains committed to consulting on our approach to measuring and reducing embodied carbon in due course.
Government is listening to calls for a change to the Building Regulations. This consultation, and the in-depth research which informs it, will support the development of future policy.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rise of greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertiliser production since 1990; and what plans they have for lowering such emissions.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions from the fertiliser manufacturing industry between 1990 and 2020 (the latest available year data) have fluctuated between 525 and 812 thousand tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, with no clear trend.
To reduce future emissions the Government is promoting better nutrient use efficiency through the Sustainable Farming Incentive. The Government is supporting the development of new technologies to manufacture less environmentally damaging fertiliser products through the Farming Innovation Programme and plans to reform the fertiliser regulatory regime.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Callanan on 14 December 2021 (HL Deb col 205) that an obligation on the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) would "have regard to its projects contributing to our climate change targets and environmental goals", why the ARIA framework agreement, published on 17 February, does not include their aforementioned commitment; and when they plan to edit the framework agreement to include it.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
I thank the noble Lord for raising this matter. The ARIA Framework Agreement will be updated as soon as possible to include this commitment, without prejudice to ARIA’s freedom to have maximum autonomy over its research and project choices.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government, what plans they have to implement the recommendation in the report Mission Zero: Independent Review of Net Zero, published on 26 September 2022, to bring forward to 2033 the target to phase out the installation of new gas boilers; and when they will make an announcement about any such plans.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Heat and Buildings Strategy set out our aim to phase out the installation of new and replacement natural gas boilers from 2035, to ensure all heating systems used in 2050 are compatible with net zero. This would mean when consumers replace their heating source, they replace it with a low-carbon or low-carbon ready appliance.
We are considering the recommendations made by my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Kingswood in the Independent Review of Net Zero, and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their commitment in the Queen’s Speech to end trophy hunting imports will apply to all hunting trophies; and if not, whether there will be exceptions for certain (1) animals, and (2) countries.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The Government takes the conservation of endangered species very seriously, which is why we are banning the import of hunting trophies from endangered species, as set out in the Government's manifesto. Our approach will be robust and effective and will deliver the change we promised to help protect thousands of species worldwide.
This year we have already introduced our Animal Sentience and Kept Animals Bills to Parliament and we intend to legislate further to protect animals abroad as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will be setting out our detailed plans shortly, including by publishing the Government's response to the consultation on trophy hunting imports which will set out in more detail the scope of our intended ban.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the consultation that closed in February 2020 on trophy hunting imports; and what plans they have to introduce the Animals Abroad Bill.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The Government takes the conservation of endangered species very seriously, which is why we are banning the import of hunting trophies from endangered species, as set out in the Government's manifesto. Our approach will be robust and effective and will deliver the change we promised to help protect thousands of species worldwide.
This year we have already introduced our Animal Sentience and Kept Animals Bills to Parliament and we intend to legislate further to protect animals abroad as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will be setting out our detailed plans shortly, including by publishing the Government's response to the consultation on trophy hunting imports which will set out in more detail the scope of our intended ban.
Asked by: Lord Ravensdale (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish the Integrated Rail Plan before the House rises for the summer recess.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We intend to publish the Integrated Rail Plan soon. Given the long-term significance of the IRP, it is important that Government carefully considers the priorities and evidence from metro mayors, council leaders, and representatives from the North and Midlands as well as the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment, ahead of setting out our plans.