In November 2020, the UK government unveiled a 10-point plan for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This plan outlines the key steps that the government will take to achieve the UK’s carbon neutrality target.
Although the plan has been critiqued by some who feel the steps aren’t enough for the UK to actually be net zero by 2050, it’s a promising start to tackling our climate crisis.
Here, we explain what it means for the UK to be net zero by 2050 and walk you through the government’s 10-point net zero plan.
What would carbon neutrality mean for the UK?
Carbon neutrality, also known as net zero, describes an equal balance of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and carbon dioxide elimination in a society. In theory, this eliminates additional carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
For the UK, carbon neutrality would mean decreasing our carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 326 million tonnes and maintaining this. Our carbon emissions have decreased by 48.8% from 1990, and 10.7% from 2019, so we’re making progress. However, we must remember that 2020’s figures were likely an anomaly due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.
1. Advancing Offshore Wind
Wind turbines are colossal, and the power of wind causes their blades to spin. This creates kinetic energy which a generator converts into electrical energy. Wind is a renewable resource, making it a more eco-friendly source of energy.
Increasing our reliance on offshore wind as an energy source is a crucial part of the government’s 10-point plan. This comes as no surprise; utilising wind power is nothing new for the UK.
In the last 20 years, there’s been a 73-fold increase in the contribution of wind power to the UK’s energy needs. There are windfarms both on- and off-shore all around the country, and the Hornsea One Wind Farm off the Yorkshire coast will be the world’s largest. Plus, according to the government, the UK currently generates more electricity from offshore wind than any other country.
Ramping up our reliance on wind energy should also lead to approximately £20 billion of private investment by 2030, creating high-quality jobs across the country, particularly in coastal regions.
Estimated CO2 emission savings: 21 million tonnes
2. Driving the Growth of Low Carbon Hydrogen
Hydrogen has a huge amount of potential to be a staple energy source for the UK. In theory, it can be used to heat homes, power businesses and provide an alternative fuel for vehicles. Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth, and it’s also the most simple.
The immediate focus here is increasing our low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by five gigawatts by 2030; this should make low-carbon hydrogen more accessible.
Estimated CO2 emission savings 2023-2032: 41 million tonnes
3. Delivering New and Advanced Nuclear Power
The government are keen to invest heavily in nuclear power as a reliable source of low-carbon electricity. Investment will also be injected into research and development (R&D) for reactors, which could be used to improve the processes of carbon capture, hydrogen and offshore wind. Plus, scaling up nuclear power plants will help to create jobs.
4. Accelerating the Shift to Zero Emissions Vehicles
This is the most important point for fuel dependent businesses who need to consider going green. Many UK drivers have already made the switch to more eco-friendly vehicles, like plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, reaping the benefits of government-backed financial incentives and lower running costs. We can only expect this number to increase as we inch closer to 2030, when it will become illegal to sell new petrol and diesel car and vans. However, if you rely on HGVs, you have until 2040 before the ban on new petrol and diesel HGVs to come into force.
Of course, we also need to think about the production chain and supporting infrastructure. The government will invest in ‘Gigafactories’ where vehicle batteries will be produced at scale, creating jobs and attracting investment. In addition, £1.3 billion will be injected for charging infrastructure, including rapid charge points on motorways.
Estimated CO2 emission savings by 2032: 5 million tonnes
5. Green Public Transport, Cycling and Walking
We all know that using public transport and cycling or walking wherever possible is an effective way to minimise your carbon footprint. But, we need the right infrastructure in place to help us do this more frequently.
Billions of pounds will be invested in enhancing the rail network and city buses. Booking a train or bus ticket in the UK can cause a headache and dent in your wallet, so the government’s pledge to revamp the rail and bus system is exciting. They pledge to:
These improvements should make it easier and more pleasant for the public to use public transport, helping to minimise the number of cars on the road and reach the UK’s carbon neutrality target.
The government are also aiming to increase the network of electric buses to lower carbon emissions even more.
What’s more, the government pledges to provide our cities with “cycle lanes worthy of Holland.” Hundreds of miles of cycle lanes will be built to make it safer and more appealing to cycle. There will also be a national programme to encourage uptake of electric bikes.
Estimated CO2 emission savings 2023-2032: 2 million tonnes
6. Jet Zero and Green Ships
Globally, aviation is responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all transport sources. Shipping was responsible for approximately 930 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2020.
The government wants to establish the UK as global leaders in the zero-emission aircraft industry. Investing time and resources into R&D for low carbon aviation fuel could revolutionise the industry and impact of air travel on the planet.
Point six covers the aviation industry in far more detail than the shipping industry. However, hydrogen ferry trials are being run in Orkney and a hydrogen refuelling port is planned to launch in Teesside. Plus, £20 million will be invested to develop clean maritime technology.
Estimated CO2 emission savings to 2032: 1 million tonnes
7. Greener Buildings
Transitioning away from using fossil fuels to heat our buildings, whilst making our buildings more energy efficient, is vital.
Utilising heat pumps is one of the strategies as they offer a low-carbon, energy efficient way to heat your home. The government is developing a local heat pump manufacturing base and targeting 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028.
Plus, energy efficiency standards for household products will be improved so consumers should find it easier to make more cost- and energy-efficiency choices.
Estimated CO2 emission savings 2023-2032: 71 million tonnes
8. Investing in Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage
Carbon capture, usage and storage is a three-step process where CO2 produced in other industrial processes is separated, compressed and transported, and finally stored permanently in rock formations underground.
The government believes that the North Sea is the perfect location for storing captured carbon under the seabed, allowing the UK to position ourselves at the forefront of this growing industry.
Estimated CO2 emission savings 2023-2032: 40 million tonnes
9. Protecting Our Natural Environment
Safeguarding and enhancing our natural environment is one of the best ways to protect local wildlife and increase carbon capture. It’s a vital part of this 10-point plan to net zero carbon emissions. More areas across England will be designated as Areas of Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks to protect more natural spaces. Nature conservation and restoration projects will also be invested in across England, and incentives will be provided to plant trees and restore peatlands.
10. Green Finance and Innovation
The government wants the UK to be a global leader in green technologies – that is the technologies used to bring our net emissions to zero. Investment in R&D of low-carbon technologies is vital for advancing our understanding of this tech and speeding up our application of it. There are 10 priority areas for investment, including hydrogen and artificial intelligence.
We hope this outline of the UK’s 10-point plan for net zero carbon emissions helps you understand the roadmap to carbon neutrality over the next 30 years! You can read the plan in full on the government website or head to our blog for more insight into transitioning into an eco-friendly business.
