To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) conducted and (b) commissioned on strategies to deliver a low-carbon economy. (281296)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has an ongoing programme of work on what a low carbon future for the UK might look like, including strategies for delivering a low carbon economy.

As part of this, DECC has conducted and commissioned a range of research, including to model scenarios for reducing energy system CO₂ emissions, and worked with partners on analysis of possible technology options for the future of energy supply and demand.

In addition, research has been carried out in other Departments to support policy development in this area. As part of its work to understand the costs and benefits of the Climate Change Act, DEFRA commissioned analysis of the costs of meeting the UK’s climate change targets; and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissioned a report to support the development of the Government’s low carbon industrial strategy, which will be published in the summer.

Government’s analysis of policy options has also taken account of research commissioned and conducted by organisations outside Government, both in the UK and elsewhere.