Climate Committee publishes advice on 7th carbon budget
The Climate Change Committee has published its recommendation to the government today for a seventh carbon budget (the legal limit for UK net emissions of greenhouse gases over the years 2038 to 2042) along with advice on how it can be met. Commenting, Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said:
“These recommendations are a blueprint for growing a resilient and healthy economy that will improve peoples’ lives with warmer homes, cheaper bills, less air pollution, and more money in their pockets.
“Extreme weather events globally - like those that recently hit Los Angeles and Valencia – are already causing enormous hardship and economic damage. The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned the costs to the UK economy could reach tens of billions a year if we fail to tackle global heating.
“The good news is that climate action doesn’t just make environmental sense, it boosts the economy too. New research published earlier this week showed that the UK’s net zero sector grew 10% last year, while the rest of the economy struggled.
“It would be short-sighted and economically reckless if the Chancellor fails to back the green economy in the forthcoming Spending Review. She must invest in the future by insulating our heat-leaking homes, improving public transport, greening industry and developing the nation’s huge homegrown renewables potential. Failing to do so will leave the UK lagging behind in the global race to develop the industries of the future, while passing on enormous costs to future generations.”
Aviation
Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said:
“The Climate Change Committee’s enthusiasm for potential technological fixes to reduce emissions, such as sustainable aviation fuels and techniques for taking carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it underground, is dangerously optimistic.
“The aviation industry, which has historically shown little interest in reducing emissions, will leap on this to argue that airport expansion is compatible with climate goals, even though the Committee also stresses the importance of constraining the growth in passenger numbers.
“Rather than championing aviation expansion, the government should introduce a frequent flyers levy to curb the excessive flights taken by a minority of wealthy people each year, without harming the annual family holiday.
“Airport expansion remains incompatible with meeting our climate targets. Technological investment is crucial, but relying on solutions that are not workable at scale to justify a third runway at Heathrow, or expansion at Gatwick, would be a foolish and reckless gamble.”
Seventh carbon budget
Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said:
“Climate targets are essential for providing businesses with confidence to invest in the growing green economy, but only if they are backed up with a credible plan for meeting them. Right now, the UK is off-track for meeting 2030 and 2035 targets because the last government’s plans weren’t fit for purpose.
“The Labour government must produce a robust plan that delivers on our climate goals, improves the lives of working people, and incentivises business investment. Doing so will benefit the struggling UK economy and show genuine international leadership at a time when it is most desperately needed.”
ENDS