Stalled energy policy means UK will miss carbon emissions target

A survey conducted by the Energy Institute has found that industry professionals believe the energy policy is ‘on pause’.

The UK’s target of cutting carbon emissions by over half within 13 years is at risk because of government indecisiveness on energy policy, industry professionals have said.

Four fifths of the Energy Institute, who conducted the survey, believe the UK is currently on track to miss the 2030 goal.

The government have stalled making decisions concerning the fate of a multimillion-pound competition to build mini nuclear power plants and whether to strike a subsidy deal for a pioneering tidal lagoon at Swansea.

According to Louise Kingham, chief executive of the Energy Institute, a flagship plan on how to meet the UK’s 2030 target is now ‘long overdue’.

The departure of energy minister Nick Hurd, along with Brexit, have also caused uncertainty.

Jim Skea, the president of the institute, said: “If we’re going to keep on track [with binding carbon targets] there is an urgent need to get that published. It’s this gap on things like energy efficiency and a heat policy – that’s the real thing that will hold back investment and grow the uncertainty.”