UK Declares “Climate Emergency” As Committee On Climate Change Urges Net-Zero

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The UK Parliament has taken the unprecedented step of declaring an “environment and climate emergency” this week at the same time as it was urged by the country’s Committee on Climate Change to adopt a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2050 “as soon as possible.”

This came at the same time as Scotland — one of four countries which make up the United Kingdom — made its own decision to commit to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2045 at the latest, and as the UK’s Business Secretary approved an increase from £60 million to £65 million for the next Contract for Difference (CfD) auction round which is scheduled to take place on May 29.

A Net-Zero UK

On Thursday, the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) — which was formed in 2008 in order to advise the UK government on emissions targets, the progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and preparing for climate change — presented the findings of its highly-anticipated review into the feasibility of setting a new net-zero emission target.

The findings of the review were simple — that the UK can end its contribution to global warming within 30 years by setting a new ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. The CCC recommended targets which affect all sectors across the UK, including the Scottish and Welsh economies, based on known technologies and improving people’s lives, and stated that these recommendations “should be put into law as soon as possible.”

“We can all see that the climate is changing and it needs a serious response,” explained Lord Deben, Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change. “The great news is that it is not only possible for the UK to play its full part – we explain how in our new report – but it can be done within the cost envelope that Parliament has already accepted. The Government should accept the recommendations and set about making the changes needed to deliver them without delay.”

The CCC’s 277-page review of a net-zero target was requested by the UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments, and in addition to finding that the technologies and policies necessary were either already in place or within reach, the report found that the overall costs of a net-zero transition were manageable but must be “fairly distributed.” Specifically, according to the report’s authors, rapid cost reductions in essential technologies such as offshore wind and batteries for electric vehicles mean that a net-zero greenhouse gas target could be met at an annual cost of up to 1-2% of GDP through to 2050.

“The UK Government must follow the advice of the UK Committee on Climate Change with urgency,” said Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group. “Their message is clear – we have the solutions to tackle climate change, what’s needed now is political will.

“The UK’s track record of climate leadership is strong. Today’s report from the UKCCC presents an opportunity for the continuation of this leadership, in the hope that it will inspire others to act, protect our planet and ensure greater prosperity for all.

“The recommendations from the UKCCC articulate the huge scale of the action required to reach net-zero by 2050 – as well as the urgency. There is truly no time to lose if we are to succeed.”

British “Climate Emergency”

The release of the report came only hours after the UK’s House of Commons became the first parliament in the world to pass a motion declaring an “environment and climate emergency” — though it was not immediately approved by the government.

“Now that Parliament has officially recognised the true scale of the climate crisis they must take appropriate measures,” said Tytus Murphy, Divest Parliament Campaigner. “Across the UK people are demanding that MPs take emergency action to stop emissions from burning fossil fuels. This requires an immediate and permanent ban on fracking, bringing the North Sea Oil and Gas sector into managed decline, rejecting Drax’s application to convert its coal-burning units to gas, kicking the third runway at Heathrow into the tall grass, ending UK finance that funds fossil fuel exploration and extraction around the world, and divesting pension funds from fossil fuel companies.”

“It is not enough for politicians to say that we need to move to net zero emissions quickly – this has been known for years,” continued Murphy. “What is needed now is for MPs to support specific policy and regulatory measures that bring about the end of fossil fuels over the next two decades, and forge the cross-party consensus for these measures that will ensure they are translated into legislation.”

“People living on the front line of climate change already know full well that we are facing a climate emergency,” said Tom Viita, Head of UK Advocacy at Christian Aid. “For the people of Mozambique facing the double shocks of Cylones Idai and Kenneth, the emergency is very real. Most of the people facing droughts, floods and rising sea levels, have not caused this climate emergency. What they need now is much more radical action from countries like the UK.

“MPs from all parties and the Government itself need to turn this declaration of climate emergency from warm words into tangible actions including a massive scale up of public investment, both in the UK and overseas, to cut greenhouse gas emissions,” continued Viita. “As an immediate first step, Parliament should demand that the Government set a new greenhouse gas target for net zero emissions by 2045 at the latest and bring forward new money and policies to deliver it.”

“This game-changing advice shows that tackling climate change is an exciting opportunity for Scotland to innovate and thrive,” added Gina Hanrahan, Head of Policy at WWF Scotland, a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. “We’ve already made progress but we need to strengthen policy today and deliver swift, decisive action. That would mean huge benefits such as warmer homes, cleaner air, better health and a flourishing countryside, producing good food. The report shows all this is possible and affordable.”

A Net-Zero Scotland

Additionally, Scotland immediately moved to make amendments to its Climate Change Bill that would set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest with Scotland becoming carbon neutral by 2040. The move is covered more fully here.

New Contracts for Difference Auction

Finally, UK Business Secretary Greg Clark approved the final details on Thursday for the country’s third Contract for Difference (CfD) auction round which is expected to take place from May 29. Secretary Clark’s statement (PDF) confirms that the budget for this next CfD has been increased from £60 million to £65 million and is intended to develop 6 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity.

The CfD will allow for new projects from the “Pot 2” technology range which includes offshore wind, tidal stream, wave, and other technologies. Onshore wind and large-scale solar remain excluded from competition.