The Climate Change Committee (CCC) released their annual progress in reducing emissions report at the end of June. The report assesses the UK’s progress towards the legal emissions targets set out in the carbon budgets approved by Parliament.
Amidst the seemingly endless doom and gloom stories in the media these days, the report offered a glimmer of hope that getting to net zero is still possible. GHG emissions have more than halved since 1990, with all three of the last carbon budgets achieved. Although not leading the pack, the UK remains within a group of frontrunner economies demonstrating consistent and sustained decarbonisation.
The UK’s 6th Carbon Budget target is to reduce emissions by 68% on 1990 levels by 2030, an ambitious goal, and the first UK target aligned with reaching Net Zero by 2050 since made legally binding in 2019.
Energy sector leads the way
It’s no surprise that emissions reductions in the energy supply sector has made up the bulk of the emissions reductions since 2008. Last year was no exception, culminating in the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired electricity power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar. There is good momentum in other areas, particularly surface transport, where the number of electric cars on the road has been roughly doubling every two years, with rapid further progress expected.
But with the energy supply sector making strides in decarbonisation, there is now a call for other sectors to step up. Around 80% of the emissions savings needed between now and 2030 must come from other sectors including buildings, aviation, agriculture, and land use. Substantial acceleration in the buildings sector is required with the scaling of heat pump deployment and a comprehensive programme to decarbonise public sector buildings amongst the recommendations.
Key risks highlighted by the CCC
But the report is clear: challenges remain. Key concerns include:
- Policy delivery gaps: 39% of the policies and plans needed to hit the 2030 target were rated as having significant risks or insufficient or unquantified plans. For this reason, Government action is needed, and fast.
- Industrial transition uncertainty: The handling of transition plans also drew criticism, with uncertainty around how sectors will adapt in practice.
- Pace of emissions reductions: The current rate of emissions cuts won’t be enough. The pace needs to more than double by the end of the decade and be maintained across the Sixth Carbon Budget period to stay on track.
- Rising aviation emissions: The CCC is calling for new, credible policies to ensure the aviation sector takes responsibility for reaching Net Zero by 2050.
- A call for cheaper energy: Once again, the CCC’s top recommendation is to make electricity cheaper by removing policy costs from electricity bills. This will allow consumers and businesses to see the cost benefit of clean energy.
The good news? The UK can hit its upcoming emissions reduction targets and stay on course for Net Zero, but only with renewed and focused policy action. At Acclaro, we’ll be watching closely to see how these gaps are addressed, because ambition without implementation won’t be enough for the UK to reach those all-important targets.
We work with organisations to develop net zero roadmaps and transition plans to set ambitious but achievable targets. Read how we helped facilities management provider Churchill Group achieve validated science-based targets with the SBTi and develop a fleet decarbonisation strategy.
If you’d like support with setting and achieving your organisation’s own climate and emissions reductions targets, please feel free to get in touch.
