Thread by @theCCCuk

CCC Progress Report 2019

Today the CCC launches its annual Progress Report (theccc.org.uk/publication/re…). Government & Parliament recently adopted a net-zero target for GHG emissions in 2050. What happened in the last year & what is needed for net-zero?

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UK emissions fell by 2.3% in 2018 and are now 40% below 1990 levels (including emissions from international aviation and shipping)

Almost all recent progress has been in reducing emissions from electricity generation. Emissions from transport and aviation have been increasing.

Last year the Committee set out 25 headline policy actions for the year ahead. 12 months on only 1 has been delivered in full. 10 have not even shown partial progress.

In the last year the Government has introduced some new policies but their impact will only be incremental. The Goverment’s own projections demonstrate that its policies and plans are insufficient to meet the fourth or fifth carbon budgets (covering 2023-27 and 2028-32).

Tougher targets do not themselves reduce emissions. Meeting the new net-zero target is contingent on early and decisive action to strengthen policy. New and strengthened policies are urgently needed beyond the power sector.

To be an effective host of the UN talks, and an influential climate leader, Government must now back its net-zero emissions target with a coherent national policy package to deliver it. Key actions for the next year are set out in the table.

Transport and housing are now on the frontline of efforts to meet the net-zero target. The phase-out date for petrol and diesel cars should be brought closer to 2030 than 2040, and policies are needed to deliver the Goverment’s ambitions on energy efficiency.

Progress will also be needed on carbon capture and storage, deployment of onshore wind, tree planting, and to start large-scale trials for heat pumps and low-carbon hydrogen.

Overall, despite some important foundations, progress has been insufficient and a major ramp-up in policy is needed for the net-zero target. Now the Government must act.

Full report theccc.org.uk/wp-content/upl… | Infographic theccc.org.uk/wp-content/upl…

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