Net zero impossible unless government attitude changes

A new report by the Green Alliance think tank says that reducing energy demand must be central to UK energy policy to cut carbon at the scale necessary.

The Balancing the energy equation paper claims that the government’s narrow approach to climate change, focused on expanding renewables and phasing out coal, will not cut nearly enough carbon to meet the UK’s net zero goal.

Sectors such as transport, buildings and industry are way behind on having effective carbon cutting strategies, and, together, they are only on course to deliver about ten per cent of the emissions savings they need to over the next 12 years. The research shows that, far from being a ‘hair shirt’ approach, reducing energy demand will benefit people and businesses financially, improve public health, and create an economy fit for the future.

The study concludes that all government departments should work on three fronts now to address energy demand, by: avoiding unnecessary energy use; improving technical energy efficiency; and flexing energy demand.

Libby Peake, head of resource policy at Green Alliance, said: “The government’s approach to energy is self defeating. It ignores half of the equation and denies people considerable benefits. Not only would reducing demand help to reach carbon reduction targets earlier, it would also reduce infrastructure costs and benefit everyone – through cleaner air, more comfortable homes and healthier lives.”

Transport has the highest carbon emissions of any sector, but policy is only guaranteed to deliver about nine per cent of the reduction needed by 2032. Policy that prioritises active travel, like walking and cycling, and public transport and shared mobility would reduce energy demand and also save the NHS £2.5 billion a year by reducing the cost of tackling health problems.
     
Building energy efficiency policies have stalled in the UK and policy has too often ignored improvements needed to existing buildings. Along with new incentives for those who are able to pay for improvements, an additional £1 billion per year to 2035 could upgrade the low income households that need it. This could also help to prevent the estimated 10,000 early deaths caused by cold homes each year.
     
Industry policies largely ignore the potential of greater resource efficiency to cut energy use and therefore carbon emissions. Resource efficiency could lead to carbon savings three to four times greater than those envisaged for energy efficiency by 2050. Changing how UK manufacturing businesses use resources could also raise profit margins by as much as £10 billion across the sector.