UK bolsters 2030 climate target

Boris Johnson has unveiled a dramatic increase in the UK’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target.

The prime minister has announced that the UK is committing to a 68 per cent cut in territorial emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for next year’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Each country signed up to the Paris Agreement is obliged to produce an NDC setting out the domestic action it will take to meet the 2015 inter-governmental climate change deal.

The government claims its NDC means the UK is now committed to reducing emissions faster than any major economy.

The new target is line with advice submitted to ministers by the Climate Change Committee (CCC).

The CCC’s sixth carbon budget for the period 2033 to 2037, which the statutory climate change advisor is publishing next week, recommends that the UK should commit to a 68 per cent reduction in territorial emissions by 2030.

The fresh target goes beyond the 61 per cent reductions in emissions expected under the fifth carbon budget, which covers the years 2028 to 2032.

Lord Deben, the CCC chair, wrote in a letter to busines and energy secretary Alok Sharma last week that the 68 per cent target is feasible and that the government could go further.

“We encourage the prime minister to make a 2030 commitment that is as bold as possible, to inspire other world leaders to follow suit. As such, the government may choose to go beyond a 68 per cent reduction.

“This trajectory for UK emissions is eminently achievable, provided effective policies are introduced across the economy without delay.”

The peer writes that the 68 per cent target would show a “decisive commitment” to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, is “consistent” with the Paris Agreement and would place the UK among the “leading countries in climate ambition”.

The commitment aligns with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s published pathways for keeping average temperature rises within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Current NDCs submitted under the Paris Agreement are predicted to lead to global average temperatures rising around 3°C by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels, according to the CCC.

The government has published the UK’s NDC ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit, which it is hosting virtually on 12 December, in a bid to encourage other countries to publish their emissions reduction commitments.

Reaction

Responding to Johnson’s announcement, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit director Richard Black said: “While the level of ambition won’t please all campaigners, this is the most significant NDC announcement so far from any major economy, increasing the pace of carbon-cutting by about 50 per cent and accelerating opportunities for companies in low-carbon sectors.

“Meeting it would put the UK on track to delivering on its net zero target for 2050 and sets down a marker for other prosperous nations regarding their own minimum level of NDC ambition.

“The huge falls seen in the cost of renewable energy and batteries mean that decarbonisation is turning out to be cheaper than anyone thought just a few years back.”

Rain Newton-Smith, chief economist at the CBI, said: “While delivering a 68 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 undoubtedly represents a real stretch, there is no doubt that business is up for the challenge as we build back better and greener following the pandemic.

“Publishing the forthcoming energy white paper as soon as possible, and moving with speed, determination and greater ambition to deliver the policies in the government’s ten-point plan, is essential to our success.”

Anders Opedal, chief executive of Equinor, said: “As a significant and growing investor in the UK, Equinor welcomes this increased climate ambition, which will encourage more investment and job creation in a U.K. low-carbon economy.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said: “The UK’s 2030 ambition set out by the prime minister today is among the most ambitious in the world and we’re excited about working alongside government to deliver it. This kind of bold and decisive policy-making will help unlock the investment needed to deliver on our net zero ambitions, tackle climate change and help spur a green recovery from the coronavirus crisis.

“This target provides a clear, long-term signal for businesses like SSE to get on and deliver.”

Keith Anderson, chief executive of Scottish Power said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant acceleration in the race to zero and aligns with our own ambition at Scottish Power to build back greener and help lead the response to the climate emergency.”