What's new in legislation, policy and strategy: July 2026 round-up
Below you will find a round-up of legislation for Northern Ireland and/or Scotland relating to the environment, pollution prevention, sustainability, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, planning and built heritage, together with UK policy and strategy documents on the same themes. The round-up covers developments published in recent weeks, up to 22 July 2026. It includes the following sections: 1. Legislation, 2. Legislation in the pipeline, and 3. UK Government policy and strategy papers.
Disclaimer: This round-up may not include every relevant piece of legislation, policy document or strategy paper relating to the themes covered; omissions may be inadvertent or the result of editorial judgement. The explanatory notes provided for individual items are intended as general overviews only; they necessarily omit detail and may contain errors. In light of the above two factors, this round-up is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional or regulatory advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, NetRegs, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) accept no liability for any loss or damage, or any other consequences, arising from reliance on the information contained in this round-up. For any purpose other than obtaining a general, non-exhaustive overview of recently published legislation, policy documents and strategy papers, consult the legislation and official source documents directly and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.
1. LEGISLATION
Legislation is grouped under the following headings: Agriculture; Biodiversity; Chemicals; Electricity; Energy Efficiency, Net Zero and Carbon Budgets; Nuclear; Oil and Gas; Planning; and Renewables. Legislation within each heading is presented in chronological order of coming into force.
1.1 Agriculture
The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (NISR 2026/139)
These regulations introduce requirements for operators of slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland. Slaughterhouses must install and operate a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system in all areas where live animals are present (where animals are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned or killed); and they must keep the footage and associated data for a minimum of 90 days. Inspectors are given powers to require compliance with these regulations. Some sections of the regulations came into force on 1 August 2026 and the other sections come into force on 1 February 2027.
The Agriculture (Student Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (NISR 2026/135)
These regulations apply in Northern Ireland and come into force on 1 September 2026. They make the following changes to the tuition fee rules for students studying at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE):
- Increase tuition fees broadly in line with inflation from the 2026/27 academic year onwards.
- Correct fee-setting errors in previous regulations.
- Clarify how students are classified for fee purposes.
- Allow certain students who started their courses before September 2022 an additional year to complete their studies under the 2022 legacy fee arrangements.
1.2 Biodiversity
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (Commencement and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/827)
Background
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement is an international treaty that aims to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the high seas and the seabed beyond national waters.
What the new regulations do
These UK-wide regulations bring into force, from 9 August 2026, obligations the UK has under the international BBNJ Agreement relating to:
- the reporting and sharing of information on marine genetic resources collected from the high seas,
- related marine licensing procedures, and
- information requirements associated to the utilisation and commercialisation of marine genetic resources.
Who is affected by the regulations
The regulations affect those marine researchers, universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies collecting and analysing marine genetic resources from the high sea, applicants for certain marine licences, and public bodies involved in regulating activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
1.3 Chemicals
The REACH (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/849)
Background
UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the chemical safety system used in England, Scotland and Wales; in Northern Ireland, the separate EU REACH system applies instead. UK REACH requires businesses that manufacture, import, supply or use chemicals to provide information about those chemicals, including what they are, how they are used, and any known risks. Regulators use this information to assess whether chemicals can be used safely and whether any measures are needed to protect people and the environment. If a chemical is found to pose unacceptable risks, its use can be restricted, extra safety measures can be required, or it can be banned for certain uses. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates UK REACH and carries out compliance checks on registrations.
What these new regulations do
These regulations apply in England, Scotland and Wales; they don't apply in Northern Ireland. They come into force on 6 August 2026. They make changes to the UK REACH chemicals regime, giving businesses and regulators more time to comply with the existing system, while the Government develops a simpler and less costly process for companies to provide chemical safety information. In particular the regulations:
- extend the deadlines for businesses to submit chemical registration information to HSE
- extend the period during which some businesses can continue importing chemicals from the EU under transitional arrangements.
- extend the deadlines for HSE to carry out compliance checks.
Who the regulations apply to
The regulations affect organisations that have responsibilities under UK REACH: manufacturers that make chemical substances in Great Britain, Importers that bring chemicals into Great Britain from abroad, downstream users (businesses that use chemicals in their products or processes), and distributors and suppliers involved in placing chemicals on the GB market. They also affect HSE.
1.4 Electricity
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Act 2026 (PGA 2026/26)
This UK-wide Act received Royal Assent on 15 July 2026. It makes three main tax changes:
- It raises the tax charged on electricity generators that are subject to the Electricity Generator Levy, from 45% to 55%, for accounting periods starting on or after 1 July 2026. (This levy applies to certain groups generating electricity from sources such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro and nuclear, when they earn "exceptional generation receipts" above specified thresholds.)
- It increases the tax-free mileage allowance rate, i.e. the amount that can be paid (or claimed for tax relief) for using a personal vehicle for business travel without creating an income tax charge.
- It temporarily reduces Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), for most goods vehicles used in trade, to £1, for licences taken out between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
The Electricity Capacity (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/850)
These regulations apply in England, Scotland and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland. They came into force on 17 July 2026.
Background
Normally, electricity generators only get paid when they actually sell electricity. The problem is that some power stations, batteries, or demand-reduction schemes are only needed during rare periods of very high demand or unexpected shortages. If they relied solely on selling electricity, they might not earn enough money to stay available. The Capacity Market solves this by paying electricity providers to be ready, and not just to generate electricity. In return, providers must deliver electricity (or reduce demand) during periods of system stress. If they fail to do so, they can face penalties or, in serious cases, termination of their capacity agreement. In order to have a capacity market contract, a electricity provider may be required to provide credit cover (ie is a financial deposit or guarantee, for the case that they later breach their obligations). Electricity suppliers, ie companies that sell electricity to customers, are required to contribute to funding the Capacity Market through supplier charges.
Who these regulations apply to
The regulations apply to capacity providers and applicants for Capacity Market contracts, i.e. organizations that have or are seeking Capacity Market agreements – such as electricity generators (through gas, biomass, peaking plants, etc), battery storage operators, demand-side response providers (i.e. businesses that can reduce electricity use when requested) and developers of new capacity projects. They also apply to electricity suppliers and capacity markets administrators.
What these regulations do
The regulations make changes to:
- prequalification requirements,
- credit cover requirements,
- termination fees,
- insolvency rules and
- circumstances in which Capacity Market agreements can be terminated.
The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/848)
Background
Plug-in solar panels generate electricity from sunlight and connect directly to a standard UK household plug socket, unlike rooftop solar panels which are hard wired into the main electricity supply by an installation engineer.
What the regulations do
These regulations make changes the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1768), for the whole of the UK, and the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2665), for Great Britain only. The regulations come into force on 27 August 2026 and:
- allow the supply, sale and use of plug-in microgeneration solar power products across the whole of the UK.
- allow the safe use of these plug-in microgenerators without professional installation, in England, Scotland and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland.
1.5 Energy efficiency, net zero and carbon budgets
Background information on the three pieces of legislation that follow
The Climate Change Act 2008 established a legally binding target to reduce the UK's net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels by 2050 – this is known as the net zero target. Being a net amount means that from the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted is taken away the amount of greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere (for example by forests, land use changes or engineered carbon removal methods), and any other carbon accounted adjustments allowed by legislation are considered.
In order to achieve the UK net zero target, the UK government must set five year carbon budgets. A carbon budget is a legal maximum limit on the total net amount of greenhouse gases (also known as net carbon account) the UK is allowed to emit over a five-year period.
The Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026 (SI 2026/694)
This order applies to the whole of the UK and came into force on 26 June 2026.
The Order prevents the UK from counting overseas emissions reductions towards the UK’s 2028 to 2032 carbon budget. As a result, this budget must be achieved through emissions reductions in the UK. The only exception is for carbon adjustments that may arise through emissions trading arrangements with the EU in the future.
What this means for businesses
The order has no direct impact on businesses or individuals. However, it may influence future government policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
The Carbon Budget Order 2026 (SI 2026/695)
This order applies to the whole of the UK and came into force on 26 June 2026. The order sets the carbon budget for the 2038-2042 period at 535 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
What this means for businesses
The order does not impose direct requirements on businesses or individuals. Instead, it sets a legally binding emissions limit for the UK as a whole, which future government policies will need to achieve.
The Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipping) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/727)
These Regulations apply to the whole of the UK and came into force on 1 July 2026. The Regulations amend how emissions are counted under the Climate Change Act 2008. From the 2033-2037 carbon budget period onwards, the UK's share of emissions from international aviation and international shipping must be included in the UK's carbon budgets and carbon target calculations.
Who is affected by the regulations
These Regulations do not create any new direct compliance for businesses. However, future government policies that the government may create in the future with the aim of meeting tighter carbon budgets may as a result of these Regulations indirectly affect: airlines and aviation operators, airports, shipping companies, ports and harbour operators, freight and logistics businesses, importers and exporters reliant on international transport, and fuel suppliers serving aviation or maritime sectors.
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/701) with correction slip
Background
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a mandatory UK energy assessment scheme for large organisations. Its purpose is to help businesses identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and improve energy efficiency.
What these new regulations do
These regulations apply to the whole of the UK and came into force on 22 July 2026. They make several changes to ESOS:
- They require that organisations taking part in ESOS provide more detailed information about the energy-saving actions they have proposed and/or put in place.
- They remove two compliance options that are no longer considered to meet current best practice standards.
- They also remove some ESOS requirements for organisations that comply solely through ISO 50001 certification.
- They make a number of smaller changes to help regulators carry out their work, improve the quality of the data collected, make it easier to check the quality of ESOS assessments, and extend an existing exemption for organisations involved in insolvency proceedings.
The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/750)
Background
The CE marking (short for Conformité Européenne, meaning "European Conformity") is a product conformity mark used across the European Economic Area to indicate that a manufacturer has assessed a product and determined that it meets applicable legal requirements relating to safety, health, environmental protection and, where relevant, energy performance. For products covered by ecodesign legislation, the CE mark demonstrates compliance with the relevant technical and environmental standards and allows the product to be placed on the market. Following the UK's departure from the European Union, Great Britain introduced the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark as its domestic product marking regime. However, the UK has continued to recognise CE-marked products in a number of sectors.
In 2024, the EU adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), which replaced and expanded the previous EU ecodesign framework. The new regime allows the EU to set sustainability requirements covering durability, repairability, recycled content, environmental performance and product information for a much wider range of products.
What the new 2026 regulations do
These regulations apply in England, Scotland and Wales, and came into force on 27 July 2026.
- They extend Great Britain's recognition of CE-marked energy-related products governed by the EU's new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, allowing manufacturers and suppliers to continue to place relevant CE-marked products on Great Britain’s market without having to obtain a separate UKCA marking.
- They also fix drafting and technical errors of the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Household Tumble Dryers) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/318).
Who is affected by these regulations
The Regulations primarily affect manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of energy-related products sold in Great Britain, and market surveillance and enforcement authorities responsible for ensuring compliance with ecodesign requirements.
Background information for the three pieces of legislation that follow, regarding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a new UK tax on certain imported goods that produce high levels of carbon emissions during manufacturing. Its purpose is to ensure that imported products face a similar carbon cost (ie cost associated with the greenhouse gas emissions produced when making a product) to goods made in the UK, preventing overseas producers from gaining an unfair advantage simply because they operate in countries with weaker climate regulations. It will apply to specific goods across five carbon-intensive industrial sectors: aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron and steel. The tax is to be introduced from 1 January 2027.
The following three pieces of legislation provide the supporting rules for CBAM.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Administrative Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/802)
These regulations, valid across the whole of the UK and coming into force on 1 January 2027, indicate what information importers must provide, what records they must keep, how to register and report to HMRC, and how HMRC will manage and enforce the CBAM system.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Calculation of CBAM Rate and Determination of Carbon Price Relief) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/809)
These regulations, valid across the whole of the UK and coming into force on 1 January 2027, indicate how CBAM charge to be paid is calculated and how importers can claim relief -- if a carbon charge has already been paid in the country where the goods were produced.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Transitory Provision) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/830)
These regulations, valid across the whole of the UK and coming into force on 1 January 2027, contain temporary measures that adjust existing legal rules so that businesses and HMRC can move smoothly to the new carbon border tax regime without gaps or inconsistencies in the legislation.
The Climate Change Agreements (Administration, Energy-intensive Installations and Eligible Facilities) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/826)
Background
Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) are voluntary agreements between the Government and energy-intensive businesses. Organisations that sign up commit to meeting agreed targets for improving energy efficiency or reducing carbon emissions. In return, they receive a significant discount on the Climate Change Levy, a tax charged on energy used by businesses. The scheme is aimed at helping energy-intensive industries remain competitive while encouraging lower carbon emissions and improved energy performance. Facilities that fail to meet their targets may be required to pay a buy-out fee to retain eligibility for the levy discount.
What the new regulations do
These regulations cover the whole of the UK and come into force on 1 January 2027. They simplify the rules on which businesses can qualify for CCA, make some technical updates to its administration and add several new types of industrial activity that can join the scheme. The new types of activity (installation and process) eligible are:
- mechanical recycling of waste plastic products;
- packaging of spirit drinks into retail containers, such as bottling and packaging operations in the spirits industry;
- production of automotive-grade battery cells for use in vehicles.
1.6 Nuclear
The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/835)
Background
When the UK left the EU and Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community), it established its own domestic nuclear safeguards regime. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) became responsible for operating the UK's safeguards system and demonstrating compliance with the UK's international nuclear safeguards obligations.
Nuclear safeguards in this context mean the accounting, reporting and inspection measures used to verify that nuclear materials are not diverted from peaceful uses into nuclear weapons programmes.
Who is affected by the new regulations
Directly affect by the regulations are the operators of facilities that hold, use, process, store or transfer some specified nuclear material and are therefore required to maintain safeguards accountancy and reporting systems. This includes nuclear power stations, fuel-cycle facilities and other operators handling regulated nuclear material.
What the new regulations do
The regulations cover the whole of the UK and came into force on 10 July 2026.They update of the UK's nuclear material accounting and inspection system. Operators of nuclear facilities will be required to meet strengthened reporting and record-keeping requirements, including changes to notification deadlines, reporting arrangements and record-retention periods. Certain failures to comply with nuclear safeguards requirements will now constitute criminal offences. The regulations also update the fees payable to the ONR for carrying out nuclear safeguards work.
The Contracts for Difference (Definition of Eligible Generator) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/844)
Background
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the UK Government's main mechanism for encouraging investment in low-carbon electricity generation, such as offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, tidal power and some nuclear projects. A CfD is a contract between an electricity generator and the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), a government-owned company. The contract sets a guaranteed price for electricity. This gives potential developers confidence that they will receive a predictable revenue stream, which makes it easier to attract investment.
What the new regulations do
These regulations apply in the whole of the UK, and come into force on 17 July 2026. The regulations update the CfD eligibility rules so that existing nuclear power stations that continue generating electricity can qualify as "eligible generators" under the Contracts for Difference framework. This will support the continuation of generation.
1.7 Oil and gas
The Pollution Prevention and Control (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/757)
Background
The UK Government’s Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) charges the offshore oil and gas (hydrocarbons) industry for regulatory activities undertaken in relation to environmental legislation
What the regulations do
These regulations apply to the whole of the UK and came into force on 7 July 2026. These regulations increase the fees charged by the UK Government for environmental regulatory work relating to the offshore oil and gas industry. The regulations do not create new environmental rules or requirements over businesses.
Who is affected by the regulations
The charge increases affect companies involved in offshore oil and gas activities that require government environmental or safety oversight, including:
- Habitat and marine conservation assessments.
- Offshore safety and licensing work.
- Environmental impact assessments.
- Oil pollution preparedness and response arrangements.
- Certain marine licences and energy-sector consents.
- Monitoring compliance with energy efficiency schemes.
Background information for the two pieces of legislation that follow, regarding offshore oil and gas decommissioning
When an offshore oil or gas installation or pipeline reaches the end of its useful life and is no longer required, the companies or entities responsible for it (such as the owner, operator or licence holder) must arrange for it to be decommissioned. Decommissioning means safely taking the infrastructure out of service and removing, securing or making safe any equipment so that it no longer poses a risk to people or the environment. Those entities responsible for the installation are legally required to submit a decommissioning (formerly called abandonment) programme to the UK Government for approval, under the Petroleum Act 1998. The Government incurs costs in assessing and administering these decommissioning programmes. The companies responsible for the offshore installation or pipeline are required to pay fees to the Secretary of State to recover those regulatory costs. A new charging framework is being introduced to recover those costs, replacing the previous fee-based system.
The Energy Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5, Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/846)
What infrastructure these regulations apply to
These regulations apply to the whole of the UK, in relation to offshore oil and gas installations (such as offshore platforms and associated infrastructure) and offshore oil and gas pipelines on the seabed (submarine pipelines) in UK waters (including Northern Ireland and Scotland waters).
What these regulations do
The regulations bring into force the parts of the Energy Act 2023 that introduce a new system for recovering the Government's costs of regulating offshore decommissioning. They also provide transitional arrangements so that decommissioning cases already under way before 30 September 2026 can continue under the existing fees system, rather than moving into the new charging system part-way through the process. The regulations do not change who is responsible for decommissioning offshore installations or pipelines.
The Offshore (Oil and Gas) Installation and Pipeline Abandonment Charges (Revocation) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/853)
What infrastructure these regulations apply to
These regulations apply to the whole of the UK, in relation to offshore oil and gas installations (such as offshore platforms and associated infrastructure) and offshore oil and gas pipelines on the seabed (submarine pipelines) in UK waters (including Northern Ireland and Scotland waters).
What these Regulations do
The regulations introduce the new charging system for offshore decommissioning from 30 September 2026. Under the new arrangements, the Secretary of State can recover the costs of work carried out in relation to decommissioning programmes, including staff time and certain associated expenses. Charges will apply to new cases from that date onwards.
The regulations also cancel the previous decommissioning fees regulations, except where those regulations continue to apply under the transitional arrangements established by SI 2026/846.
1.8 Planning
Three ’Infrastructure Planning’ pieces of legislation have recently been published, and come into force on 24 July 2026. They put into place and support reforms to the planning regime, in England and Wales, for nationally significant infrastructure projects (such as major energy, transport and utility schemes), covering applications, decision timetables and land-access procedures. They apply mostly to England and Wales. They do not apply in Northern Ireland. They apply to Scotland only in very limited circumstances, only so far as required for the purpose of the construction (other than by a gas transporter) of an oil or gas cross country pipeline – one end of which is in England or Wales, and the other of which is in Scotland. The three pieces of legislation are listed below.
The Infrastructure Planning (Development Consent) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/735)
The Infrastructure Planning (Rights of Entry Notice) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/737)
2. LEGISLATION IN THE PIPELINE
This section lists items of legislation that, as of 21 July 2026, were going through the Northern Ireland Assembly or the Scottish Parliament. The round-up does not cover legislation progressing through the UK Parliament at Westminster.
2.1 Legislation in the pipeline in Northern Ireland
2.1.1 Primary legislation bills going through the Northern Ireland Assembly
Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill. Second Stage was completed on 23 March 2026. The bill is at Committee Stage.
Dilapidation Bill. Further Consideration Stage was completed on 30 June 2026. Final Stage is to be scheduled.
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill. Second Stage was completed on 30 June 2026. The bill is at Committee Stage.
Hunting with Dogs Bill. Second Stage was completed on 26 May 2026. The bill is at Committee Stage.
Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill. Second Stage was completed on 27 April 2026. The bill is at Committee Stage.
Renewable Electricity Generation Bill. First Stage completed on 30 June 2026. Second Stage to be scheduled.
Tree Protection Bill. First Stage was completed on 29 June 2026. Second Stage is to be scheduled.
Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill. Second Stage was completed on 28 April 2026. The bill is at Committee Stage.
Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill. Second Stage was completed on 16 September 2025. The bill is at Committee Stage.
2.1.2 Draft statutory rules going through the Northern Ireland Assembly
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order (Northern Ireland) 2027
The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Closure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
2.2 Legislation in the pipeline in Scotland
As of 21 July 2026, there were no developments to report for Scotland.
3. UK GOVERNMENT POLICY AND STRATEGY PAPERS
This section covers published UK policy and strategy on the themes of this roundup, which apply or affect Northern Ireland or Scotland.
UK Government’s International Climate Finance Strategy 2026. This 22 June 2026 strategy sets out how the UK intends to use climate funding to support developing countries while also strengthening UK security, economic growth and resilience. The strategy brings together aid and wider public investment to help mobilise large-scale public and private finance, speed up the global transition to clean energy, build resilience to climate impacts such as extreme weather and food insecurity, and protect nature and biodiversity. The overall aim is to move from a traditional aid model to long-term partnerships.
Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP) Investor Factsheet: Heat and Buildings. UK Government DESZN 23 June 2026 paper. The Government sees decarbonising buildings as a major growth market and is using funding, targets and regulation to encourage investment in technologies and services that reduce emissions and energy costs. This factsheet is aimed at attracting private investment into low-carbon heating, energy efficiency and building decarbonisation. While many of the specific policies relate to England, the investment opportunities are relevant across the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Update on the UK Government Clean Flexibility Roadmap. Clean flexibility means using technologies such as batteries, smart appliances and electric vehicles to shift electricity use to times when renewable energy is plentiful and demand on the grid is lower, helping reduce costs and make better use of clean power. For example, people might charge an electric vehicle or run a washing machine overnight, when the electricity grid is under less pressure. The UK Government's 13 July 2026 update of the Clean Flexibility Roadmap sets out new measures to expand smart tariffs, energy storage and flexible use of electric vehicles, with reforms largely applying across Great Britain (including Scotland) but not directly to Northern Ireland's separate electricity market.
Overview of the UK Cleantech Innovation Challenges programme. UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) paper, 15 July 2026, UK-wide. The UK Cleantech Innovation Challenges programme is a UK Government initiative designed to accelerate the development and commercialisation of clean energy technologies that are critical to achieving net zero and supporting economic growth. It forms part of the government's wider Clean Energy Superpower Mission and Industrial Strategy. Rather than acting solely as a funding programme, the initiative aims to bring together government, industry, innovators, investors and researchers to tackle specific innovation barriers through targeted, mission-led challenges. The first challenge launched under the programme is the UK Carbon Management Innovation Challenge, announced in July 2026. Additional challenges are expected across 2026 and 2027.
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