The UK cannot rely on the power sector to meet its emissions reduction targets, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has said. The warning came as the government confirmed the fifth carbon budget for 2028 to 2032 accepting the CCC’s recommendation that emissions be reduced by an average of 57 per cent on 1990 levels over the period. In an annual progress report to parliament the CCC said: “Whilst emissions have fallen by an average of 4.5 per cent a year since 2012, this has been almost entirely due to progress in the power sector, particularly reduced use of coal as government policies have driven an expansion of renewable generation.” It said the complete replacement of coal would get Britain less than half way towards the 2 to 3 per cent annual reduction in emissions needed by 2030. By comparison there has been “almost no progress in the rest of the economy”. Emissions outside of the power sector have fallen by just 1 per cent a year since 2012.
Utility Week 1st July 2016 read more »
Climate sceptics are taking advantage of the confusion caused by the EU referendum to attack the UK’s low carbon policy. The Global Warming Policy Forum, a think tank founded by Leave backer Lord Lawson, is hosting an event in the House of Lords on Monday evening. Legal professor David Campbell is set to argue the government should scrap the carbon budget for 2028-32 it approved last Thursday. Noting that the impact assessment was based on the assumption Britain would be in the EU in 2030, the GWPF calls for a review. None of the Conservative leadership candidates have indicated plans to do so, director Benny Peiser told Climate Home. But he added: “If they think the targets are a burden to the economy and undermining British competitiveness, then all of the candidates will be open to revising the targets.”
Climate Home 3rd July 2016 read more »