The UK Committee on Climate Change has called on government ministers to “seize the opportunity” to turn the COVID-19 crisis into a defining moment for the green transformation of society.
The powerful committee made the call as it published new advice in an annual report to parliament on a range of sectors to accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2040.
Policy progress in power generation is praised, including a new 40GW offshore wind target and the proposed readmitting of onshore wind into future auction rounds, but the CCC said this “must be accompanied by steps in the Energy White Paper to encourage a resilient and flexible energy system”.
Responding to the report Vattenfall UK country manager Danielle Lane said: “The UK is going to need a wide mix of low-carbon and renewable heat and power if it is to reach net zero, and the Committee on Climate Change is absolutely right to call for at least 40GW of offshore wind generation by 2030.
She said the government can send that signal “right now” by avoiding further planning delays and approving offshore projects which are ready to go, such as Vattenfall’s Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas projects.
Chairman Lord Deben (pictured) said the UK has “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to address climate challenges together after the “biggest economic shock for a generation” caused by COVID-19.
“It’s there for the taking,” he added.
Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC’s adaptation committee, meanwhile declared: “Now is the moment to get our house in order.”
She added: “The UK’s domestic ambition can be the basis for strong international climate leadership, but the delivery of effective new policies must accelerate dramatically if we’re to seize this chance.”
The CCC report says energy networks must be strengthened for the net-zero energy transformation while new hydrogen and carbon capture and storage infrastructure will provide a route to establishing new low-carbon British industries.
Lane added: “The CCC also highlights the possibilities for reducing emissions in all areas of our lives beyond power generation, including heating and transport.
“But if we are to make the rapid progress needed in these areas, then policy choices should prioritise the lowest carbon options now – such as green hydrogen for transport and heavy industry – rather than CCS.”
Meanwhile, the annual report found that decarbonisation of the power sector accounted for “over half of the overall fall in carbon emissions” last year.
Speaking in a media briefing to journalists, the committee’s chief executive Chris Stark said the renewable power industry was “propping up” the overall reductions in the UK’s climate emissions as the committee launched its interim progress report to Parliament.
Stark said: “Plans for the power industry are really in line with the plans for Net Zero and that is really amazing. That is a remarkable statement that I don’t think I would have been making a few years ago.”
Elsewhere, “much remains to be done”, the committee said.
“For the first time the committee sets out its recommendations government department by government department. These are the urgent steps that must be taken in the months ahead to initiate a green, resilient COVID-19 recovery,” stated the report.
“They can be delivered through strong coordination across Whitehall. Doing so will propel the UK towards more rapid climate progress and position the country as an international climate leader ahead of the pivotal COP26 climate summit in Glasgow next year.”
RenewableUK head of policy and regulation Rebecca Williams said a green economic recovery after the pandemic can create tens of thousands of jobs and attract billions in investment.
“To meet net zero and recover from Covid, we need to put a rocket under our economy and that rocket has to run on clean energy,” she said.
Scottish Renewables policy director Morag Watson said: “The committee reiterates that mature renewable technologies like wind and solar power are as cheap as, or cheaper than, new fossil-fuel alternatives.
“Accelerating the transition to a low-carbon energy system powered by renewable energy is essential if we are to emerge from this crisis with a stable, resilient economy which supports net zero.”
Lloyd’s Register group energy director David Clark said: “The report rightly calls for an increased focus on enabling technologies if we are to be successful in reducing carbon emissions.
“In particular, renewable technologies have some way to go, especially when it comes to energy storage. It is essential to consider not only moving to renewable and sustainable sources of energy, but also how to decarbonise.
“LR conducted a study this year on behalf of the OGA, looking at some of the potential options for decarbonisation and how we can move to an integrated energy future.
“Solutions included marrying oil and gas infrastructure with evolving carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
“Hydrogen is also emerging as an important alternative energy source which will support the transition from oil and gas, and in the future we may see these technologies, combined with offshore wind, work together to create integrated energy hubs.
“It is clear, cross-collaboration with industry and government is fundamental to our future success.”