The United Kingdom is on the path to becoming the first major economy to set a net-zero emissions target into law. New legislation has been set that will eradicate the UK’s net contribution to climate change by 2050, announced Prime Minister Theresa May. The statutory instrument to implement this was laid in Parliament on Wednesday, June 12.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement to set a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency (EA) said:
I’m delighted to see the Prime Minister set a legal target for the UK to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is not only the right thing to tackle the climate emergency for future generations but a huge opportunity to increase our energy efficiency, improve our resilience and deliver a greener, healthier society.
We know that investing in zero carbon solutions is good for growth – boosting jobs and the economy – and it is cheaper for business, organizations and government to tackle climate change now than to manage its impacts in the future.
When I launched a consultation on the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Strategy up to 2100, a few weeks ago, I talked about the importance of building a nation of climate champions – people aware of the risks of the climate emergency and empowered to take positive action to help their communities become more resilient.
We know how passionate young people are across the country about tackling complacency in the face of catastrophe and taking action now to safeguard their environment for the future. So it’s encouraging to see the Government has established a Youth Steering Group which will advise them and review progress against their commitments.
Our individual actions count too, no matter how small – from the amount of water we use at home to the products we recycle and reuse. We have no option but to do this and we all have a part to play.
The Environment Agency is already working to tackle the climate emergency. Today’s announcement gives a powerful boost to all our prospects for the future and a common goal to achieve together.
For the first time, young people will have the chance to shape our future climate policy through the Youth Steering Group who will advise Government on priorities for environmental action and give a view on progress to date against existing commitments on climate, waste and recycling, and biodiversity loss.
As a part of this, Prime Minister Theresa May will be meeting young science and engineering students to discuss the ambitious new target based on advice from independent experts: the Committee on Climate Change. The advice was commissioned by the government last year, having recognised the need to go even further to limit the effects of climate change. In its report, the Committee on Climate Change forecast significant benefits to public health and savings to the NHS from better air quality and less noise pollution, as well as improved biodiversity.
Prime Minister Theresa May said in an official statement:
As the first country to legislate for long-term climate targets, we can be truly proud of our record in tackling climate change. We have made huge progress in growing our economy and the jobs market while slashing emissions.
Now is the time to go further and faster to safeguard the environment for our children. This country led the world in innovation during the Industrial Revolution, and now we must lead the world to a cleaner, greener form of growth.
Standing by is not an option. Reaching net zero by 2050 is an ambitious target, but it is crucial that we achieve it to ensure we protect our planet for future generations.
Whilst it will be for future governments to determine the precise direction of future climate policy, the Committee on Climate Change acknowledge that we have laid strong foundations through our Clean Growth Strategy and taken action to tackle climate change across key sectors of the economy identified by the report.
This legislation means that the UK is on track to become the first G7 country to legislate for net-zero emissions. They expect other major economies to follow in their lead, as it is imperative that they do so. To highlight the importance, the UK will “conduct a further assessment within five years to confirm that other countries are taking similarly ambitious action, multiplying the effect of the UK’s lead and ensuring that our industries do not face unfair competition.”
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark said:
We want to continue our global leadership and that’s why we are introducing a legally binding net zero target to end the UK’s contribution to global warming entirely by 2050. The report we commissioned from the Committee on Climate Change makes clear that we have laid the foundations to achieve a net zero emissions economy, and that it is necessary and feasible.
Almost 400,000 people are already employed in the low-carbon sector and its supply chains across the country. Through our modern Industrial Strategy we’re investing in clean growth to ensure we reap the rewards and create two million high quality jobs by 2030.
The UK is already a centre for clean growth and innovation.
Low carbon technology and clean energy contribute £44.5 billion to our economy every year. We are ending the sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans through our world-leading Road to Zero Strategy, and protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainability through our 25 Year Environment Plan.
Businesses, academics, and people across society have endorsed the advice from the Committee on Climate Change. Welcoming the announcement, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn DBE, CBI Director-General, said:
UK business stands squarely behind the Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This legislation is the right response to the global climate crisis, and firms are ready to play their part in combating it.
Climate leadership can drive UK competitiveness and secure long-term prosperity. This legislation must be followed by a commitment to long-term policies that support decolonization across the economy.
Some sectors will need clear pathways to enable investment in low-carbon technologies, and it is vital that there is cross-government coordination on the policies and regulation needed to deliver a clean future.
The Government’s announcement stated:
We will retain the ability to use international carbon credits. Using international credits within an appropriate monitoring, reporting and verification framework is the right thing to do for the planet, allowing the UK to maximise the value of each pound spent on climate change mitigation.
We will continue to work with our international partners to tackle climate change, including through our bid to host COP26.
