Comment on Climate Change Committee Progress Report

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On emissions from energy and housing Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the ECIU, said: “Although the Committee is largely analysing the Conservative Government’s recent policy roll backs, the new Government would do well to learn lessons from its predecessor’s missteps. Ensuring that big boiler manufacturers are not able to stand in the way of progress on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, which would boost competition to bring down heat pump prices, will be important for our long-term energy security. While electric heat pumps can run on British renewables, boilers will be increasingly fuelled by foreign gas as the North Sea continues its inevitable decline.

“Getting on with introducing minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector would help lower gas demand too, boosting energy security, and shield renters from volatile gas bills. These are no-brainer policies that would get supply chains going and encourage economic growth.

“On renewables, there is a wide-open goal for the new Government to improve the parameters for the next renewables auction and max out the number of offshore wind bids. This would send a clear signal to the industry and help get more renewables built more quickly, helping to reduce the UK’s exposure to volatile gas markets that have wreaked havoc with energy bills and the cost of living over the last few years.”

On agriculture and land Tom Lancaster, Head of Land, Food and Farming at ECIU said: “For the indicators they score, the Climate Change Committee have judged that emissions reductions for farming and land use are ‘significantly off track’, the worst rating they can give. Unfortunately, this does not come as a surprise. In a year when the impacts of climate change on farming have been felt so keenly by Britain’s farmers, this report should be a wakeup call for policy makers to get serious about tackling emissions from agriculture, and taking steps to build greater resilience to future climate impacts to safeguard our food security.

“Defra’s new green farming schemes are an important start, but much more is needed in areas such as woodland creation and peatland restoration. These measures are popular, and can clean up rivers, restore nature and slow flood waters, as well as absorb carbon. The Committee is clear that the time for dithering on these measures is well and truly over.”

On engagement with the UN climate process Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at ECIU, said: “We’re midway through a critical decade for action to limit temperature rises and halt ever more dangerous climate impacts. UK leadership was important in the talks that delivered the Paris Agreement, COP26, and in the global momentum to net zero built since then. Elected with a resounding majority for a manifesto of more ambitious climate action, the new UK government is well-placed to heed the CCC’s urging to step progress back up domestically, so as to ‘reclaim’ that global climate leadership.

“Of particular importance will be an ambitious national emissions pledge early next year, showing the way for all nations ahead of COP30 in Brazil. Even more pressing will be a bold commitment at this year’s UN climate talks to step up financial support which they, private companies, and global financial institutions will offer to poorer, developing nations. As heat and droughts, storms, fires and floods increasingly threaten crop harvests in all parts of the world, helping people on the frontline of climate change not only supports their livelihoods, but is also increasingly critical for our own food security.”

ENDS

1. https://www.theccc.org.uk/2024...