In its third Progress Report, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has warned that if emissions continue to rise as they did in 2010, the UK will not be able to meet its first four carbon budgets.
Last year, emissions from the UK rose by 3%, mainly as a result of the cold weather. Even after adjusting for weather impacts however, emissions were stable; well below the 3% annual reduction necessary to meet targets.
The CCC highlighted two policy areas where urgent government action could accelerate the pace of reductions. It wants the planned Green Deal to include support for ambitious targets to insulate all lofts and cavity walls by 2015 and 2 million solid walls by 2020. The committee also called for the forthcoming White Paper on electricity reform to include a commitment to long-term energy supply contracts; known as ‘contracts for differences’, to help avoid an investment hiatus in renewables.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reacted to the CCC report, arguing that policy aimed at reducing emissions remains inconsistent. “Our Climate Change Tracker shows too many gaps in reducing emissions from key sectors including energy, buildings, transport and industry. Recent policy shifts have also dented investor confidence, such as the sudden removal of the incentive behind the Carbon Reduction Commitment.”
Rhian Kelly, CBI’s director for business environment stated “...to get back on track, the government must clarify a number of grey policy areas, including the Green Deal, electricity reform and the Green Investment Bank.”