Growing the market for low carbon industrial products: policy framework - Chapter 1: Introduction and Cross-Cutting Considerations - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Chapter 1: Introduction and Cross-Cutting Considerations

This chapter explains the rationale for selecting steel, cement, and concrete as the initial sectors in scope of the demand-side policy framework. It introduces a proposed assessment criteria to guide the evaluation and selection of policy options. There are also questions related to other key considerations, such as the proposed impact of a demand-side framework and broader environmental impacts.

1.1. Please indicate how relevant you think each primary assessment criterion is and explain your reasoning as well as any additional views, including whether there are other criteria not listed that should be included when considering policy options.

1.2. Which environmental impacts should the government consider at this stage in its policies? Please explain your reasoning.

Option 1: Global Warming Potential only (expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent) Option 2: Global Warming Potential and some environmental impacts and waste categories relevant to the production of steel, cement, and concrete (please specify) Option 3: Global Warming Potential and all the other core environmental impacts listed above Option 4: Other (please specify)

1.3. Considering the objectives of this policy framework, to grow the market for low carbon products, which of the following do you think will be impacted? Please explain your reasoning with reference to specific policies.

1.4 . Are you taking embodied emissions into account when making purchasing decisions?

1.5. If response to Question 1.4 was not ‘Never’ or ‘Don’t know’ and you have accounted for embodied emissions at least sometimes, which of the products or product groups you buy does this apply to?

1.6. If response to Question 1.4 was not ‘Always’ or ‘Don’t know’ which factors prevent you from taking embodied emissions into account when making purchasing decisions?

1.7. Do you agree or disagree that you have sufficient access to embodied emissions data to support your decision-making? Please explain your reasoning, including examples of existing sources for this data and additional data which you would find valuable.

1.8. Would you consider paying more for products with a lower embodied carbon content? Please explain your reasoning.

1.9. If you answered yes to question 1.8, on average, how much extra would you be willing to spend?

1.10. How likely are you to increase the proportion of low carbon products in your purchases in the future? Please explain your reasoning including what factors would support the increased proportion of low carbon products you purchase.

1.11. To what extent would a future of increased consumer demand for low carbon products would have the below impacts? Please explain your reasoning.

1.12. To what extent would improved information on the embodied emissions throughout the value chain help you achieve your decarbonisation goals, and implement any of the below measures and/or technologies? Please explain your reasoning.

1.13. Do you have existing relationships with lower carbon steel/cement/concrete producers? If so, please provide details.

Yes No