Carbon budget surplus: comment on CCC advice
Dr Simon Cran-McGreehin is available for comment and interview.
By George Smeeton
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Commenting on guidance issued by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) advising that surplus emissions from the Third Carbon Budget must not be carried forward to loosen later carbon budgets [1] Dr Simon Cran-McGreehin, Head of Analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:
"Beating the previous carbon budget was a fluke, with the pandemic and the gas crisis reducing energy demand and masking the UK’s slow progress on insulating homes and building out onshore wind.
"The net zero economy grew 9% in the past year [2]. If targets were effectively lowered, what signal does that send to global investors and where does it leave the UK’s energy security?
"Renewables, EVs and heat pumps have been driving growth against a backdrop of economic stagnation. They’re also helping insulate the UK from the insecurity and price volatility of oil and gas, which as the North Sea inevitably declines, is essential if we aren’t to go backwards on energy independence."
Notes to editors:
1. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) advice on surplus emissions from the Third Carbon Budget is published on 28 February.
2. CBI Economics: UK net zero economy grows 9%, ‘hotspots’ in electoral battlegrounds: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2024/cbi-economics-uk-net-zero-economy-grows-9-hotspots-in-electoral-battlegrounds
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net