Following the publication of the Government’s landmark Net Zero Strategy in October, Bureau Veritas has welcomed further clarity on the UK’s sustainability commitments. Referencing the economy-wide plans for how British businesses and consumers will be supported in making the transition to clean energy and green technology, Bureau Veritas describes the Strategy as ‘long-awaited and necessary detail’ in the race to meet net zero emissions by 2050.
Published ahead of the UN COP26 summit, the Net Zero Strategy sets out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net zero. It outlines measures to transition to a green and sustainable future and plans for reducing Britain’s reliance on imported fossil fuels by boosting ‘clean energy’.
As part of the Strategy, new investment was announced to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains – including targeted EV grants and infrastructure, which will put thousands more local on-street charge points and zero emission cars and vans onto UK roads through a zero emission vehicle mandate. It also commits to substantial funding towards ‘clean energy’, including £180 million towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), £500 million towards innovation products, £3.9bn for decarbonising heat and buildings and £120 million towards the development of nuclear projects, which could see the decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity system by 2035.
The move towards both electrification and clean energy are both crucial pathways in meeting net zero targets, according to Bureau Veritas’ South & West Europe Sustainability Services Leader, Julie-Anna Smith. She says: “The new climate policies outlined in the recently announced Net Zero Strategy are a step in the right direction for the scale of transformation needed to meet net zero emissions by 2050 and to improve the air quality across the nation.
“The funding commitment outlined by the Government – and since backed up in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review – provides reassurance that the electrification of our vehicles and the transition to green energy is high on the agenda; though whether the funding announced in both the Strategy and subsequent Budget is enough to make the impact required in the relatively short space of time we have remains the be seen.”
The Government’s commitment to increasing infrastructure to support the transition to electric vehicles is a positive move in ensuring the services are in place to support the growing number of EVs on our roads. But with increased charging points comes the need to ensure periodic inspection and testing to protect public safety – it is here Bureau Veritas can help businesses.
Julie-Anna comments: “Like all electrical equipment, it is important to manage the safety and compliance of EV charging infrastructure throughout its full lifecycle. This includes health and safety management of the charging point, from installation to the day-to-day management, to evaluating fire safety risk when fitted. Bureau Veritas is on hand to support businesses in understanding and meeting the necessary requirements when it comes to the installation of EV infrastructure. This includes practical guidance and advice to full testing, inspection and certification to ensure safety and compliance with reference to EAWR and other associated documentation.”
Likewise, the role that clean energy plays in the fight against climate change is pivotal – though, according to Julie-Anna, the need to ensure its availability is key in delivering a low carbon future.
She says: “The commitment the Government is making to clean energy as a whole is very positive, however much needs to be done in making energy available if we’re to meet the sustainability goals we’re striving for. Safe and sustainable assets such as offshore wind is one of the ways we can increase the availability of renewable energy sources, though – as a sector – it needs to grow fast. This is where a third party can really help, with organisations such as Bureau Veritas on hand to support the industry as an independent partner by verifying conformity, achieving compliance, and optimising costs effectively throughout all stages of offshore wind projects.”
From certification and procurement to design, asset operation and management, Bureau Veritas’ team of experts are able to provide an unrivalled understanding of regulatory requirements and end-to-end solutions of offshore wind assets.