All change… for now at least
As PM Rishi Sunak has recently announced plans to weaken some of the government's green commitments, we take a look at what this means.
The new-look plans include a delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, and policies being scrapped that would force landlords to upgrade efficiency in their homes.
Even before these latest changes though, the UK was being criticised for falling behind in its efforts to reach "net zero" by 2050. This date marks a key international target intended to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Mr Sunak denied he was "watering down" the government's net zero commitments, and insisted the UK was on course to reach its target by 2050, saying that a "more pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach" was needed.
What is the definition of net zero?
Net Zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. CO2 is released when oil, gas and coal are burned in homes, factories and to power transport. Methane is produced through farming and landfill. These gases increase global temperatures by trapping the sun's energy.
Meanwhile, rapid deforestation across the world means there are fewer trees to absorb CO2.
Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, over one-hundred countries, including the UK, agreed to try to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C by 2100. To achieve this, scientists said that net zero CO2 emissions should be reached by 2050.
However, the UN wants countries to bring forward their net zero targets by a decade to avoid what it called "the growing climate disaster".
So - not quite zero...?
Not all emissions can be reduced to zero, so those that remain need to be matched by actively removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere ("offsetting"). Natural offsetting methods include planting trees and restoring peatlands.
There is also an industrial method called "carbon capture and storage". This involves using machinery to remove CO2 from the air and store it, often deep underground. However, the technology is still emerging and remains expensive.
Although offsetting is important, it can only cancel out a small fraction of current greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists say that drastic cuts to fossil fuel use are essential to meet the net zero goal.
The UK's new route to net zero
Here is an overview of the UK's changes to the net zero target:
- a five-year delay in the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, meaning a requirement for all new cars to be "zero emission" will not come into force until 2035.
- a nine-year delay in the ban on new fossil fuel heating for off-gas-grid homes - to 2035.
- raising the Boiler Upgrade Grant by 50% to £7,500 to help households who want to replace their gas boilers.
- the ban on the sale of new gas boilers in 2035 remains, but there will be exemptions for poorer households.
- scrapping the requirement on landlords to ensure all rental properties have a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of grade C or higher - from 2025.
Other countries and their targets
Over one-hundred countries have pledged to reach net zero, covering about 90% of global emissions. However, not all have set a 2050 deadline.
China: currently the biggest producer of CO2 worldwide - aims for "carbon neutrality" by 2060. Its plans to cut emissions aren't fully developed yet, but its renewable energy sector has been growing rapidly.
USA: The United States has historically been the biggest carbon emitter, and still emits more than China per head. It has pledged to reach net zero by 2050. In August 2022, it announced a major green investment package called the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to boost renewables and other clean technologies.
EU: the EU is the third biggest emitter of CO2, and also has a 2050 net zero target. In March it announced its own green investment package, called the Net Zero Industry Act.
India and Russia: are also key emitters. They have pledged to reach net zero by 2070 and 2060 respectively, but have not published enough policies to back up their intentions.
The net zero controversy
The controversy stems from how some countries might attempt to reach net zero. For instance, a country might record lower emissions if it imported energy-intensive goods from overseas, rather than producing the goods itself. In reality, it wouldn't have reduced the total amount of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere.
There are also schemes that enable rich countries to offset their emissions by paying poorer countries to switch to cleaner fuels.
Some climate scientists worry this could let wealthier nations avoid reducing their fossil fuel usage, by taking advantage of a switch to cleaner fuels in poorer countries - which may have happened anyway.
What we all need to do
While the most significant changes need to come from government, individuals will also have to play their part to help reach net zero. This could include:
- taking fewer flights
- reducing energy use
- improving home insulation and energy efficiency
- switching to electric vehicles
- replacing gas central heating with electric systems (such as heat pumps)
- eating less red meat
And... the WWF Net Zero Delivery Tracker proposal makes for very interesting reading. WWF-UK is calling on the UK government to apply a Net Zero Delivery Tracker to all spending and taxation decisions in fiscal events (Budgets, Statements and Spending Reviews) to ensure that the overall package puts us on track to meet our climate and nature goals.
Carl Dodd, Property Revolutions Ltd.
