UK decarbonisation targets



The executive summary of a Policy paper entitled “Clean Growth Strategy” issued by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), updated on 16th  April 2018, is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy/clean-growth-strategy-executive-summary

The summary refers to targets set by The Climate Change Act, passed in 2008, which committed the UK to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 when compared to 1990 levels, through a process of setting 5 year caps on greenhouse gas emissions termed ‘Carbon Budgets’. It reports that since 1990, the UK has cut emissions by 42%.  Challenges remain, however:
“In order to meet the fourth and fifth carbon budgets (covering the periods 2023 to 2027 and 2028 to 2032) we will need to drive a significant acceleration in the pace of decarbonisation…”
However “Every action that we take to cut emissions must be done while ensuring our economy remains competitive”, and a forthcoming review “will recommend ways to deliver the government’s carbon targets and ensure security of supply at minimum cost to both industry and domestic consumers.”

Tensions are apparent between decarbonisation targets, fuel cost, security, and a competitive economy.

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