The UK Committee of Climate Change (CCC) has called on the new Conservative government to deliver on its 40GW by 2030 offshore wind manifesto pledge and ensure any energy market reforms are complementary to the country’s net zero emissions goal.
In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, CCC chairman Lord Deben and CCC adaptation committee chair Baroness Brown provide the Committee’s assessment of the priorities for the new government to reduce UK emissions and prepare for climate change.
“As host of next year’s UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, the steps we take in the next 12 months will also have a lasting global impact,” the chairs wrote.
“In this Parliament, the UK must get on track to delivering net zero emissions, and adapt to the climate-related changes we are experiencing,” they said.
The letter highlights five key areas, which includes the offshore wind call.
The other priorities are to develop an ongoing mechanism to pay for emissions reductions from industry and an approach to delivering hydrogen and carbon capture and storage infrastructure, alongside promised capital support.
There should be rapid progress to implement the manifesto commitment to consult on an earlier phase-out of petrol and diesel cars, ideally by 2030.
The government also needs to establish an ambitious and properly funded strategy for removing fossil fuels from the UK’s building stock, with action beginning immediately and standards that set a clear long-term path.
Efforts must also be made to deliver a package through the Agriculture and Environment Bills to cut emissions from agriculture and to pay for the 30,000 hectares of annual tree planting promised in the manifesto.
CCC is the UK’s statutory advisor on climate change issues.