More sustainability measures needed to meet net zero target

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is not confident that the UK will meet its 2050 net zero goals.

A climate watchdog has criticised the government’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan (CBDP), concluding that the framework will not keep up with future targets. 

At COP26, the government committed to reducing carbon emissions by 68% by 2030 on 1990 levels, and emissions have fallen by 46% so far. 

The committee suggests that the government increase its roll-out of  heat pumps and woodland creation to keep up with climate goals. 

Full scope 

Last year the CCC introduced its Mitigation Monitoring Framework, highlighting infrastructure improvements that can reduce emissions. 

The framework includes the following factors: 

• Electricity supply: capacity for renewable energy does not match the pace of the government’s goals. 
• Buildings: the government is only one-ninth of the way to meeting its 600,000 heat-pump installations by 2028. 
• Rebalancing electricity prices vs gas: moving electricity prices closer to gas prices. 

Industry progress

The Treasury plans to invest £20 billion over 20 years in technology that can help carbon capture as part of Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget. 

Since the start of the year, firms have been developing schemes to implement carbon capture practices and further renewable energy resources. 

The Environment Agency (EA) is currently reviewing Drax Power’s proposal to develop Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BCCS) projects. 

Additionally, National Grid (NG) has increased its offshore wind network in East Anglia, with infrastructure that will transport six gigawatts to power 6 million homes. 

Impact 

Looking at the delivery plan, the government aims to completely decarbonise sectors like heat, power, gas, and fuel by 2050. 

On the budget, Lord Deben, chairman of the CCC, said: “Government has been too slow to embrace cleaner, cheaper alternatives and too keen to support new production of coal, oil and gas. There is a worrying hesitancy by Ministers to lead the country to the next stage of Net Zero commitments.”

If you found this interesting, try Learning sustainable construction from the Swedes.