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Lots of ambition in the UK's climate targets.. now it is time for action
We welcome the newly signed Green Deal that will push the UK to reach a 50% reduction in carbon emissions in by 2025, but there’s still much work to be done in order to see these targets realised. These ambitious benchmarks have the potential to make the UK a world leader in energy efficiency and spur on more development in clean tech, but without solid policies, necessary funding, and little wiggle room for compromise, the Green Deal could yet disappoint.
Perhaps the most important next step for Government will be the development of strong policies to back the Energy Bill. Paul King, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council had this to say: “This is a world-leading target – and absolutely the right decision. Government has shown it still has the ambition, but the proof of the pudding will be in the policies. 43pct of carbon emissions in the UK come from the energy we use in our homes and buildings and this is where the most cost-effective, pro-business carbon savings are.”
In addition to solid policies, there must be a commitment to encouraging the growth of renewable energies at home. As Matthew Spencer, director of Green Alliance, put it, “It’s a good day for those who want Britain to re-invent itself as the home of high-tech engineering, modern infrastructure and a more resilient economy.”
But this represents yet another potential problem with the Green Deal as it stands. Additionally, there is skepticism about some of the wording in the Energy Bill, wording that suggests some carbon emissions credits will be earned from overseas renewables development. Keith Allott, head of WWF-UK, commented: “We must remember that the Committee on Climate Change had made clear that the carbon budget agreed today is the "absolute minimum" necessary, and that it should be achieved through actions taken here in the UK rather than relying on emission credits from overseas. The unwillingness of Government to accept this recommendation suggests that some Whitehall departments are more committed to action than others."
The Government only recently slashed financial support for things like solar deployment and carbon capture and storage. This has led many to question how carbon emissions can be reduced so drastically without expansion of domestic renewable energies.
One final caution is the possibility of a get-out clause. Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins, explained it this way: “The inclusion of a get-out clause, in case Europe doesn't cut emissions fast enough, creates needless uncertainty that could dent business confidence - and all just to save face for the Chancellor and Business Secretary, who opposed this agreement.”
Yet despite these concerns, there is much to be optimistic about. Katja Hall, director of policy at the CBI, which represents UK business, was quoted in The Guardian as saying, "With the green economy potentially bringing in £200bn of investment into the UK's energy sector alone, we need policies that will foster growth by decarbonising our energy supply, increase energy efficiency and support the competitiveness of our manufacturing base. Ultimately, it is the success of measures such as the green investment bank, electricity market reform and the green deal that will decide whether we meet ambitious emissions targets."
If the UK can live up to the expectations set by the Green Deal, the opportunities for economic expansion and green jobs growth are tremendous. In the coming months, we hope to see additional positive signs that demonstrate Government’s commitment to reaching its Green Deal carbon emissions targets.
