The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has unveiled what it describes as a ‘new pathway to a decarbonised UK’, stating that a greater focus on electrification could make up 60% of emissions reductions by 2040.
According to the CCC, this would include ‘decarbonising the grid and replacing fossil fuel cars and heating systems with electric alternatives (EVs and heat pumps)’, with the world currently investing almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels.
The CCC’s target involves reducing emissions by 87% from 1990 levels by 2040, which it says can be achieved while also delivering economic benefits.
It said that investment in decarbonisation over the course of this decade would ‘create savings over time’, with savings realised on a cross-economy basis during the Seventh Carbon Budget period (2038 – 2042) and growing in the period to 2050, and beyond.
The CCC added that if its pathway is delivered against, both household energy bills and household driving bills would be around £700 cheaper than today by 2050.
‘A good news story’
“The Committee is delighted to be able to present a good news story about how the country can decarbonise while also creating savings across the economy,” commented Professor Piers Forster, interim chair, Climate Change Committee.
“For a long time, decarbonisation in this country has really meant work in the power sector, but now we need to see action on transport, buildings, industry, and farming. This will create opportunities in the economy, tackle climate change, and bring down household bills.”
Sector by sector
On a sector-by-sector basis, the CCC said that 27% of emissions reductions in the UK by 2040 will come from transport, primarily through the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, while residential buildings will account for 14% of emissions reductions, and 12% of emissions reductions will come from electricity supply.
Industry will account for 11% of reductions, largely through electrification, carbon capture, and targeted hydrogen use, while agriculture and land use will contribute 7%, aviation will be responsible for 5% and the remaining 24% of reductions will come from fuel supply, non-residential buildings, shipping, waste, and engineered carbon removals.
“Our analysis shows that there is no need to pitch action on climate change against the economy,” Forster added. “We will need Government and business to deliver the investment, but we are confident that this Seventh Carbon Budget offers a secure, prosperous future for the UK.” Read more here.
