Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues. As part of the Paris Agreement, many countries, including the UK, have committed to a significant pledge by aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Britain has committed by law to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. This is part of a broader international effort to limit temperature rise and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

The UK election earlier this month, appointed a new Labour government to power, over the previous Conservative government. This shift in power brings into force new and different policies and strategies in the hope of achieving Net Zero targets. However, experts have warned that Britain will not reach its ambitious decarbonisation targets under current plans.

But what does "net zero" actually mean, how is the UK planning to achieve it, and where are they falling short? Let’s delve into these questions.

What is Net Zero?

Simply put, ‘Net Zero’ refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere. To achieve this target, emissions must be offset by measures such as planting trees, utilising technology to capture and store carbon, or using more renewable energy to replace fossil fuel use.

The UK’s Net Zero Target

The UK set the Net Zero targets in June 2019, the first to make a legal commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal requires a drastic reduction in emissions across all sectors, including energy, transport, agriculture, and industry, coupled with strategies to remove any remaining emissions from the atmosphere.

Strategies to Achieve Net Zero

In this section, we will explore the pre-existing decarbonisation policies in place in the UK, which were implemented under the Conservative government but are being continued and adapted under the new Labour ruling. We will later address any additional policies and strategies outlined in the Labour Party manifesto.

Decarbonising the Energy Sector:

Renewable Energy: The UK has placed a crucial focus on the move from fossil fuels to renewable sources including wind, solar and hydropower. Substantial investment in wind farms has been made, with the hope of producing 40GW of offshore wind power by 2030.

Nuclear Power: Nuclear energy is a key part of the Net Zero strategy. As a low-carbon energy source, new nuclear plants are being developed to provide a stable electricity supply.

Improving Energy Efficiency:

Building Regulations: The government has launched initiatives to increase the energy efficiency of UK homes and commercial buildings. This includes introducing new measures to improve insulation and implementing energy-saving technologies.

Heat Pumps: A drive is in force to increase the installation of heat pumps in replace of traditional gas boilers to reduce emissions. Under Labour, plans are also in place to implement regulatory changes, rebalance electricity and gas prices, and invest in training programs for a skilled workforce.

Transport:

Electric Vehicles (EVs): The government has plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 to promote the shift to EVs. Investment in EV charging infrastructure is crucial to meet this target.

Public Transport: Enhancing public transport, as well as promoting cycling and walking is an integral part of reducing road emissions.

Industrial Decarbonisation:

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Developing CCS technology to capture emissions from industrial processes and store them underground.

Hydrogen Economy: Experts are exploring the use of hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel for industries and transport.

Natural Solutions:

Reforestation: One key aspect of Net Zero includes government commitment to reforestation, under the new Labour government, the party is pledging to plant two billion new trees in England by 2040. They are also promising 10 new national parks during their first term, as part of its "plan for nature".

Agricultural Practices: Encouraging sustainable farming practices in the hope of reducing emissions from agriculture.

Labours Net Zero Strategy

In addition to the above, the Labour Party manifesto outlined a comprehensive set of plans and policies aimed at achieving the UK's Net Zero targets. This includes:

Clean Energy and Decarbonisation

Labour is committed to making the UK a clean energy superpower by 2030. Key initiatives include:

Decarbonising Power: Labour has pledged to decarbonise the UK’s power sector by 2030. This involves the creation of a publicly owned clean energy company, ‘Great British Energy’, to support low-carbon projects and infrastructure.

Warm Homes Plan: Labour plans to invest an additional £6.6 billion to upgrade around 5 million homes with energy-efficient infrastructures such as better insulation, solar panels, and low-carbon heating systems.

Renewable Energy Support

Labour intends to drive the uptake of renewable technologies through several measures:

Incentives for Solar Energy: New homes could be fitted with solar panels, with a solar capacity of 50GW by 2030.

Housing and Building Efficiency

Labour’s housing policy focuses on improving energy efficiency and building new homes:

New Homes: The government plans to build 1.5 million new homes, prioritising brownfield sites and updating planning frameworks to restore mandatory housing targets.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards: Reintroducing standards to ensure all rented properties meet at least an EPC rating of C by 2030.

Investment and Economic Strategy

Labour’s strategy includes significant public and private investment to drive the energy transition:

National Wealth Fund: This fund will ensure essential infrastructure projects are completed, including the expansion of renewable energy equipment.

Encouraging Private Investment: By creating a stable investment environment, Labour aims to attract private capital into the green energy sector.

Training and Workforce Development

To support the transition, Labour plans to develop a skilled renewable workforce by investing in training pathways and updating technical standards for renewable technology design and installation.

Challenges and Failures

While the UK has made progress, there are challenges and areas where it is failing to meet its net zero ambitions:

Policy and Funding Gaps:

Inconsistent Policies: There are criticisms regarding the inconsistency and short-term nature of government policies. Long-term clarity and stability in policies are necessary for businesses and investors to commit to green projects.

Insufficient Funding: The scale of investment required to achieve net zero is currently inadequate, according to experts. Prompting warnings that more public and private investment is needed.

Slow Progress in Key Areas:

Building Retrofits: The pace of retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient measures is inadequate to meet the current goals. Many projects have also been left unfulfilled, like the Green Homes Grant, which aims to improve home insulation, which was scrapped permanently.

Carbon Capture and Storage: CCS technology has not been deployed at the scale required, and many planned projects have faced delays.

Public and Political Support:

Public Engagement: To reach Net Zero targets, a significant shift is needed in public behaviour and acceptance of new policies and technology. Experts believe more effort is needed to engage with and educate the public about the benefits and necessary changes.

Political Will: Political commitment can waver, especially with changing governments and economic pressures. Sustained political will is critical to maintaining progress toward the 2050 target. The new Labour government, elected in July 2024, has outlined numerous plans to adapt current policies and implement new policies to help achieve Net Zero targets, which experts believe the UK will fail to reach under current rulings.

Addressing policy inconsistencies, increasing funding, accelerating the deployment of key technologies, and securing sustained public and political support are crucial to achieving this ambitious goal in the stated timeline.