The British government is expected shortly to announce legislation to commit the country to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The global importance of this signal should not be underestimated. The birthplace of the industrial revolution, which built an empire, a society and culture on coal, oil and gas, will now take a lead in moving beyond carbon. This is critical: the faster industrialised countries decarbonise, the more room they create for developing countries that face the more difficult challenge of reducing emissions while also meeting basic needs and creating economic growth. The pressure is on France and Germany to follow the UK’s lead. A Nordic net zero commitment is now law. With this momentum, the EU as a bloc should come next. The UK’s Committee on Climate Change estimates that achieving zero net emissions will cost between 1 and 2 per cent of gross domestic product. But the impact of climate change will cost far more than reducing emissions and building resilience. We also know that the costs of cutting emissions are much lower than was forecast 10 years ago.
FT 10th June 2019 read more »
All of the frontrunners to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister have publicly confirmed they would introduce a net zero emission target for 2050 if they are selected as Conservative Party Leader. In a series of interviews with the influential ConservativeHome website published late last week, all the candidates were asked “‘The UK should set a zero carbon target for 2050’. Do you agree and if so why?” All of the candidates – bar one – confirmed previous reports suggesting they would support such a target. Notably, all of the most fancied candidates backed a target and argued it was in the UK’s interests to lead on climate action. The one dissenting voice was provided by former Work and Pension Secretary Esther McVey, who argued that “if you want to guarantee failure, get politicians to set a target”
Business Green 11th June 2019 read more »
The Committee on Climate Change’s net zero report was missing a trick on two crucial issues, argues Climate-KIC’s Andy Kerr.
Business Green 11th June 2019 read more »
