Only a third of the emission reductions required for the UK to achieve net zero by 2030 are covered by credible plans, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.
In its latest progress report, the government’s independent climate advisers reveal that, despite “huge success” decarbonising energy, more ambitious action is needed for transport, buildings, industry, and agriculture.
Much of the low-carbon technology is already available, yet “almost all” of the CCC’s indicators for the scale up and roll out of that technology are off track.
The report also criticises the previous government for its policy rollbacks and “confusing” messaging around the country’s commitment to net zero, which have widened the gap between plans and targets.
“The country’s 2030 emissions reduction target is at risk,” said professor Piers Forster, interim chair of the CCC. “The new government has an opportunity to course-correct, but it will need to be done as a matter of urgency to make up for lost time.
“They are off to a good start. Action needs to extend beyond electricity, with rapid progress needed on electric cars, heat pumps and tree planting.”
Indeed, the market share of new electric cars needs to increase from 16.5% in 2023 to nearly 100% by 2030, according to the report, while around 10% of existing homes in the UK will need to be heated by a heat pump, compared to approximately 1% today.
Furthermore, 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.
The CCC has also published 10 recommendations for Labour, which include removing planning barriers for heat pumps, electric vehicle charge points and onshore wind, and publishing a strategy to support green skills.
This echoes IEMA’s call for the new government to commit to a ‘Green Jobs Plan’ like the one that was due this summer, but was put on hold following the announcement of a general election.
IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee MBE said: “The bones of a plan focused on net zero and environment jobs already exists, developed over two years with a cross-sector group of employers, skills bodies like IEMA, unions and academia.
“So rather than starting from scratch, we would urge the new government, in the interests of acting with speed, to work with what’s already there.
“Taking action now, particularly with the launch of Great British Energy, will also mean that workers currently employed in fossil fuel intensive sectors can transition into cleaner roles.
“If unaddressed, the green jobs and skills shortage will compromise efforts to achieve not only economic growth, but also our legally-binding carbon and environmental targets.”
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