Finding ways to decarbonise North Devon - Selaine Saxby

Whilst this summer has seen a return to our traditional British weather of rainy days out, the science is clear that the temperatures we saw last summer will become more frequent.

Our European neighbours have been facing those extreme temperatures and wildfires, whilst in the southern United States temperatures are so extreme that road signs and public bins are melting. The UK has long led the world with ambitious climate and nature goals, and we must continue to do so, but it is crucial that we do so in a way that is sustainable for households across the UK.

It has always been harder to decarbonise rural areas. Despite our natural abundance of wind and tide we use our cars more.

New sustainable infrastructure has to consider larger distances and fewer users, and our homes are typically older and draughtier.

Across the UK 1.7 million rural homes are off the gas grid and rely on kerosene boilers, the Government currently plans to ban the installation of replacement oil boilers in all homes from 2026, instead households would have to invest in alternative heat sources such as air source heat pumps. That is just not going to work for many rural properties.

Heat pumps are just not suitable for rural homes, our buildings are not sufficiently insulated for them to be effective, and the reduced ventilation required can increase the risk of mould. Whilst in coastal areas such as our own, the equipment is prone to decay and rusting.

That is if you can install one in the first place! Not only do they currently cost more than a conventional boiler, but we also have a lack of skilled engineers in North Devon. To remedy this, I have been working with the Sustainable Home and Buildings Coalition on ways to bring more training opportunities to North Devon to develop local engineers and skilled careers.

I have also been working with former Secretary of State, Cornwall MP, George Eustice, on amendments to the forthcoming Energy Bill. The Energy Bill is a fantastic piece of legislation that will support our road to net zero in the same way that the Environment Act in 2021 was brought in to support our farmers and our natural environment. The Energy Bill will revolutionise how we produce energy and upgrade our networks to ensure that energy is brought to your home as efficiently as possible.

Our amendments to the Energy Bill acknowledge that there have been developments in the oil boiler sector since the initial announcement of the ban. Renewable liquid fuels have progressed significantly, industry has also proven that it works, with strong evidence from 150 demonstrator sites across the UK that the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) reduces carbon output by 88%. I and many of my colleagues are calling for support convert existing boilers to be able to use HVO and subsidies to bring the costs and future production of the fuel to be more economically viable.

As we decarbonise our energy sources we need to do so in a way that is sustainable for everyone, no matter whether they live in the countryside or the city. So I am supporting a number of other amendments, such as legislation to prevent solar panel farms from being installed on our ‘Best’ and ‘Most Versatile’ agricultural land. It is important that our best agricultural land is used to grow high quality British produce, especially when panels should be placed on buildings first.

I am also supporting amendments to give communities the power to permit onshore wind developments, and to ask the Government to provide an independent review on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage to ensure it is sustainable and a good investment for our net zero ambitions.

The Energy Bill will bring the UK closer to net zero and develop sustainable British energy sources that will serve British families for decades to come.