Cross-Departmental Coordination in the UK’s Net-Zero Transition: Progress, Challenges and Insights

As the UK’s transition to net zero continues, significant disparities in emissions reduction progress have emerged across different industrial sectors. The electricity and industrial sectors have achieved substantial reductions, while the transport and building sectors have transformed more slowly. Against a backdrop of relatively mature technological pathways and policy frameworks, these disparities are more indicative of a lack of coordination between departments than of an insufficient technical capability in any one area. Based on this, this paper provides a systematic review of the key policy developments and actual emissions reduction performance in the UK’s electricity, transport, buildings, and industrial sectors since 2008. Drawing on government reports, academic research, and news sources, the paper analyses the main obstacles to cross-sectoral coordination and potential solutions. Research indicates that, to achieve sustained and effective emissions reductions, it is essential to enhance integrated governance and collaborative capabilities across all sectors.