UK net-zero by 2050 – or before? Advice to government now in prep

Photo: PW

Next March, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) will deliver its advice to the government on the UK’s long-term reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, whether national strategy should match – or exceed – the EU target for a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.  Such increase in UK ambition would be fully consistent with the Paris climate change agreement and the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5˚C, with major health co-benefits.  However, net-zero not only requires drastic emission reductions but also active removal of greenhouse gases, since it is not realistic to totally end all releases.  To help prepare its advice, the CCC sought expert input based on 14 questions.  Researchers in the GGR programme responded positively to that call for evidence (including information on the near-term action needed to achieve the long-term targets, and the costs, risk and opportunities involved), with at least five submissions made before the Committee’s December deadline.  The Scottish government is carrying out a similar exercise, and has published an information and analysis paper to support discussion of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.