Comment on CCC net zero advice

“Britain has a history of action on climate change of which it can be proud. From the Rio Earth Summit to the Climate Change Act, we have always been a leader on facing this challenge,” he said.

“Now the science is clear that we must go further, and adopt a net zero emissions target by 2050, if not earlier. We must not shirk from this challenge, nor should we be afraid of it.

“Pragmatic policies introduced by past governments have shown, as in the case with offshore wind, that costs can quickly be driven down and thriving new industries grown. At this time in our nation’s history, we should embrace this opportunity to lead in the low-carbon industries of the future.”

Professor Joanna Haigh, Co-Director of the Grantham Institute at Imperial College, said that the latest climate science illustrated the need to adopt a net zero target:

“Science is clear that stopping climate change means bringing emissions to net zero. And the case for doing that quickly enough to constrain global warming to 1.5ºC was graphically highlighted by last year’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which showed that every half degree of additional warming has a serious and measurable impact,” she said.

“The Committee on Climate Change shows how the UK can meet the IPCC ambition. We can cut our emissions to net zero, the costs are manageable, and, in many ways, from lower air pollution to restored natural environments, the world will be a better place to live in when we do so.”

Lord Puttnam, who helped guide the Climate Change Act through the Parliament, said:

“When I helped steer the Climate Change Act through the Parliament over ten years ago, I was privileged to see British politics at its very best,” he said,” he said.

“At a time of seemingly intractable political division, it is worth remembering that then, as now, our politicians are united across the political divide on the issue of climate change, with nearly 200 members of the Commons already calling for a net zero target to be put into law.

“Long may this continue; for, although issues like Brexit will pass, the awesome challenge of addressing climate change will be one that faces us and future generations for decades to come. Setting a net zero target in law is merely the next step on this long road: we should take it, and quickly.”

Richard Black, Director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) [3] said that a net zero transition had broad support:

“This is a seminally important report from the Committee, confirming that the UK can become the first major economy in the world to deliver on the Paris Agreement and can do so painlessly,” he said.

“Getting to net zero means making changes across the economy but importantly, nothing looks particularly disruptive. The Committee is talking about accelerating the ongoing move to clean energy and transport, continuing the modest changes we’re seeing in meat-eating and restoring forests and peatlands – and an overall economic impact that could end up being nil once hidden benefits such as cleaner air are taken into account.

“Equally important is that, while the Committee has been deliberating, the voices of businesses, MPs, farmers and the public have been supportive of a net zero transition. So now the ball is at the feet of ministers – and the Committee suggests there’s everything to gain from acting swiftly and decisively.”

ECIU has produced a series of briefings of the net zero transition, available here.