Climate advisors warn UK 'off track' for net-zero
The Climate Change Committee reports that only a third of the emissions reductions required by 2030 are currently covered by credible plans.
2030 is the first milestone in line with a net-zero trajectory, and the Committee highlights 'the damage done by the previous government’s policy roll-backs. These have increased the gap between the UK’s plans and its targets, leaving us further off track.
'The broader messaging, both domestically and internationally, also caused significant uncertainty about the country’s commitment to net-zero. The Committee urges the new Government to address this, with a clear commitment...backed with rapid policy action and a sharp-eyed focus on removing barriers.'
The news comes against the backdrop of a more positive story – that the country’s emissions are now less than half the levels they were in 1990. This is largely due to the phase-out of coal and the ramping up of renewables.
However, to continue to decarbonise, the Committee notes the UK we will now need to see ambitious action, not just in the energy sector, but also across transport, buildings, industry and agriculture. The plans in place from the previous government will not deliver enough action, they say.
The Committee has written a priority list of 10 recommendations. Top among these are to make electricity cheaper, reverse recent policy roll-backs, and ramp up rates of tree planting and peatland restoration.
By 2030:
- Annual offshore wind installations must increase by at least three times, onshore wind installations will need to double and solar installations must increase by five times.
- Approximately 10% of existing homes in the UK will need to be heated by a heat pump, compared to only approximately 1% today.
- The market share of new electric cars needs to increase from 16.5% in 2023 to nearly 100%.
Polling shows that the UK public has no appetite for climate division.
The Committee hopes the new government will take the opportunity of COP29 in November to re-establish UK leadership on the global climate stage.
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