No let-up in net zero as most sectors ‘not on track’

By Chris Wheal

February 28, 2024

"For most sectors the UK is not on track"

The UK’s Climate Change Committee has warned the government against putting the brakes on its drive towards net zero by carrying forward surplus emissions from its latest carbon budget.

“We need to build on our success to date by accelerating, not slowing down, emissions reductions in all sectors outside electricity supply,” the letter said. It claimed success in a few sectors had been down to external factors, such as reduced demand. For most sectors, it warned, “the UK is not on track and progress will need to accelerate rapidly”.

The letter from Professor Piers Forster, interim chair of the Climate Change Committee, to Graham Stuart, minister for energy security and net zero, was uncompromising.

It said: “Future carbon budgets will require an increase in the pace and breadth of decarbonisation. It is essential that an ambitious path of emissions reduction is maintained towards net zero. The Committee’s unequivocal advice is that surplus emissions from the Third Carbon Budget should not be carried forward. This is consistent with previous Committee advice that surplus emissions from the First and Second Carbon Budgets should not be carried forward.”

Forster also wrote: “A carry-forward is also inconsistent with the UK’s international commitment to accelerate efforts made as part of the Global Stocktake and Paris Agreement.”

Manufacturers demand double down

The letter came just after UK manufacturing lobby group Make UK’s boss Stephen Phipson demanded government “double down” on its net-zero commitments. With an election looming, Make UK remains concerned the main parties are wavering.

Phipson told a Make UK manufacturing conference: “We need to double down on maximising the opportunities of a net-zero economy and safeguard UK energy security, the biggest, transformational issue we face. The UK has a genuine opportunity to become a world leader in this area, attracting billions of pounds worth of private investment. 

“Rather than arguing over a specific sum, we need to see policy certainty and clarity from whoever forms the next government so that business can maximise the substantial opportunities green transition presents.”

Industrial strategy needed

The lobby group wants across-party agreement on industrial strategy. Phipson said: “The lack of a modern, long-term, robust industrial strategy is the UK’s economic Achilles heel. Every other major economy, from Germany, to China, to the US, has a long-term national industrial plan – even Barbados has one. 

“As such, the UK is an outlier and if we are to help tackle our regional inequality, and improve our competitiveness on a global stage, we need a national industrial strategy with cross-party consensus as a matter of urgency. One which survives elections and parliamentary cycles and builds international confidence.”

As an indication of the chaotic state of UK government he pointed to 26 changes to UK corporation tax since 2019.

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