Exploring my policy challenge through the structure of the Policy Fellowship also enabled me to protect the time needed to understand such a complex subject area.
Policy Challenge
How can we ensure the accurate monitoring of industrial emissions does not hinder opportunities for growth in UK industry?
Learning Journey
Previous research engagements with industry stakeholders indicated the direct monitoring of emissions for energy intensive industries risked contributing to a reduction in investment and limiting opportunities for UK based industries to support wider decarbonisation efforts across the economy. A narrow boundary for emissions monitoring cannot quantify wider emissions reductions resulting from the domestic production of Net Zero critical materials. However, without directly measuring emissions how can we be sure that decarbonising activities and associated policies are having a material effect on emissions reduction? I explored this tension through my interviews with RAEng Fellows, using steel as a sector case study.
My conversations with fellows were broad and varied, helping to expand my horizons and see my policy challenge from alternative lenses. For example, I was encouraged to first identify priorities for domestic industrial activity to support decarbonisation and then review measures and targets to drive the required response from industry. I was encouraged to recognise a completely accurate picture of emissions might not be possible, so minimum thresholds needed to be established for different use cases. Cautionary tales were also highlighted, such as conflating measurements with targets and the risk of perverse incentives.
Elle Butterworth is an Energy Policy Advisor at the Energy Systems Catapult, supporting the Catapults Carbon Policy thought leadership. Elle investigates the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to support innovation in the decarbonisation of the energy system.
Impact
The policy fellowship enabled connections, both with relevant industry experts and other policy professionals interested in exploring challenges through a systems-thinking lens. Exploring my policy challenge through the structure of the policy fellowship also enabled me to protect the time needed to understand such a complex subject area.