Third report calls for greater commitment
The UK’s Committee on Climate Change, which published its third annual report last week, reported a rise of emissions of 3% in 2010 and again called for a ‘step change’ in the pace of emissions reduction if targets are to be met.
Adjusting the figures to take into account the economic recession and the cold weather last winter, both of which have impacted on emissions, the committee says that reductions have in fact flat-lined – a trend that needs to be reversed.
“This underlying trend is incompatible with the need for deep emissions cuts required to meet carbon budgets,” the report said.
On the domestic front the report said that the drive for home insulation projects, which began well in 2009, has now fallen away and loft and cavity wall insulations are down by 30% – this drift will see the project well short of the two million home installations targeted for 2020.
A disappointing figure of less than 2% was reported for renewable heat technologies, a long way from the 12% target for 2020 and although renewable power indicators have largely been achieved a significant ramp up of investment is required to meet forthcoming budgets.
There was good news to report for vehicles, where low carbon emitting cars (with emissions of less than 120g/km) now have nearly a third of the new car market and average emissions on new cars are actually lower than targeted (144g/km against 156g/km).
The Committee said that Electricity Market reform and the Green Deal were crucial in driving emissions targets to meet budgets and also said that more work needed to be done on Carbon Capture and Storage, which might prove a significant aid to this agenda if exploited and tested fully.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said: “As we come out of recession the Coalition is determined to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which means a permanent shift to low carbon has to be locked into our economy in good times and bad.
“The Coalition’s once-in-a-generation reforms of the electricity market, the Green Deal and the Green Investment Bank show we’re serious about making the long-term structural changes that are vital to cut emissions and keep the lights on.”
Commenting on the CCC’s report, Rhian Kelly, CBI Director for Business Environment, said: “Our Climate Change Tracker shows too many gaps in reducing emissions from key sectors including energy, buildings, transport and industry. Recent policy shifts have also dented investor confidence, such as the sudden removal of the incentive behind the Carbon Reduction Commitment.
“To get back on track, the Government must clarify a number of grey policy areas, including the Green Deal, electricity market reform and the Green Investment Bank.”