Replacing coal fired power stations with renewable energy has helped the UK more than halve greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change from levels seen in 1990.

Analysis by the government’s climate change advisors reveals that the decarbonisation of the UK’s power grid has been a “huge success”.

However, the UK is still way off track with only a third of the emissions reductions needed to meet its 2030 climate targets are covered by credible plans.

To build on the success of the grid decarbonisation, the UK needs to cut emissions from transport, buildings, industry and agriculture, the committee says.

The transition to net zero can deliver investment, lower bills, and energy security

Much of the low carbon technology needed is already available, it pointed out. Yet the roll out of new technologies is off track in almost all areas, it said.

By 2030, annual offshore wind installations must increase by at least three times, onshore wind installations will need to double and solar installations must increase by five times, according to its report.

Approximately 10% of existing homes in the UK will need to be heated by a heat pump, compared to only approximately 1% today, while the market share of new electric cars needs to increase from 16.5% in 2023 to nearly 100%.

“The transition to net zero can deliver investment, lower bills, and energy security. It will help the UK keep its place on the world stage. It is a way for this government to serve both the people of today and the people of tomorrow,” says professor Piers Forster, the CCC’s interim chair.

Undo damage

The committee urged the new Labour government to undo the damage done by the previous government’s policy rollbacks, such moving back the 2030 target date for phasing out the sale of non-electric vehicles. These changes have made it harder for the UK to meet its targets, it said.

The committee has recommended that the government makes the electricity component of household bills cheaper by removing policy and social costs that are currently levied on electricity bills.

This will support industrial electrification, and ensure the lower running costs of heat pumps compared to fossil fuel boilers are reflected in household bills.

Ramp up

Tree planting and peatland restoration should be ramped up, while workers in sectors which need to grow or transition, and in communities that may be adversely impacted, need to be supported with skills training.

The government should also introduce a programme for the decarbonisation of public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals, and incentivise the electrification of heat sources used by industry.

In addition, the committee stressed that plans to adapt to extreme weather such as flooding, high temperatures and drought need to be strengthened.

News resource:

The CCC. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/progress-in-reducing-emissions-2024-report-to-parliament/