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This new report looks in detail on policy recommendations for getting tech delivered emissions reduction.

With the Technology: Enabling CO2 Reductions report launched yesterday with support from the Minister, techUK sets out how different technologies can be deployed across the economy to deliver emissions reduction drive efficiencies, cost savings and make a smarter state.

The report looks at where techUK and the Government believe that tech can have a transformative effect. Supported by case studies from members across the tech sector and a series of roundtables with stakeholders and industry, there are some clear principles that need to be followed, which are:

• Have a clear vision and direction of travel for decarbonisation.
• Identify, prioritise and focus on the key sectors requiring transformation.
• Signal any intent for regulatory intervention and the timeline for doing so.
• Be robust and not subject to short-term changes.
• Have technology at its heart.

The report also makes clear that there are three fundamentals the UK needs to get right before any widespread transformation can take place: Connectivity, Cyber security and skills. Without these, tech led decarbonisation will be more difficult to achieve.

The report details the sectors that can most benefit from tech deployment and specific recommendations are detailed below.

Decarbonising business and industry

• Continue to explore policy and fiscal tools to incentivise businesses to take up emerging technology solutions.
• Broaden the Energy Technology Product List to reflect the role that digital technologies can play.

Decarbonising the energy sector

• Review energy flexibility services to deliver a cost-effective and more user-friendly system.
• Continue to work with Ofgem in reviewing network charging, ensuring a holistic and open ended approach.
• Invest in further innovation funding trials at scale.

Decarbonising the built environment

• Explore incentives to reduce the initial cost of smart devices and appliances.
• Facilitate and encourage dynamic tariffs.
• Consider a public information campaign for home and business energy users about the benefits of smart energy products.

Decarbonising cities

• Invest in more scale-level demonstrator smart city projects.
• Use devolution deals to ensure that local authorities have the ability to develop and execute digital and smart city strategies.
• Facilitate city data exchange platforms.

Decarbonising transport and logistics

• Use the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill to enable the policy framework for autonomous vehicles.
• Set out a clear plan for a nationwide electric vehicle charging station roll-out.
• Ensure all metro transport systems deliver open APIs to encourage the development of third party apps to make accessing public transport simpler.
• Work with industry to improve connectivity across transport corridors.

Decarbonising agriculture

• Support farmers to invest in cost-effective, off-the-shelf technology.
• Expand support for the £4m Agri-Tech Catalyst.
• Support demonstration farms equipped with emerging and available technologies to measure their potential.
• Improve digital skills for agricultural workers.
• Invest in rural connectivity.

Decarbonising the waste and resources sector

• Increase support for R&D within companies to explore how tech can deliver circular business practices

With all this in mind and the fact the Clean Growth Strategy is now here, have a look at the full report below along with deeper recommendations and policy suggestions from our sector specific roundtables.

TECHUK ROUNDTABLE: DECARBONISING BUSINESS ENERGY (PDF)

TECHUK ROUNDTABLE: DECARBONISING INFRASTRUCTURE (PDF)

TECHUK ROUNDTABLE: DECARBONISING INFRASTRUCTURE (PDF)

TECHNOLOGY: ENABLING CO2 REDUCTIONS (PDF)