UK missing climate targets on nearly every front, say government’s advisers

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece from The Guardian here or enjoy below! 😉

🗞️ Driving the news: The UK government’s plans to achieve net zero emissions have faced severe criticism in a scathing report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC)
• The report points out the widespread failure to hit goals in key areas: falling rates of home insulation installations, slow advances in curbing transport emissions, and indecision regarding hydrogen for home heating
• For example, the report reveals a dramatic slash in home energy upgrades via the government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme, from 383,700 in 2021 to just 159,600 in 2022. To achieve net zero, a staggering 1-2 million homes need annual upgrades

🔭 The context: The committee emphasizes that the UK has fallen behind other nations and identifies governmental decisions such as approving a new coal mine and new oil and gas fields in the North Sea as “utterly unacceptable” 

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The report’s findings reveal a significant gap between the government’s net zero targets and the actual progress being made
• The CCC notes that greenhouse gas emissions have been falling by just under 3% a year, but this will need to double over the next eight years for the UK to meet its 2030 target

⏭️ What’s next: The report calls for a fundamental shift in political leadership ahead of COP28 and the adoption of integrated systems-based regulatory approaches
• Urgent action is needed to increase home energy efficiency, implement low-carbon heating measures, and accelerate the decarbonization of transport and heavy industries

💬 One quote: “What’s missing is political leadership... Until that happens, this program [of reaching net zero] is going to run into the sand” (Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee)

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