Zero: Building back greener

The UK released around 600m tonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) into the atmosphere in 1990. As signatories of the Paris Climate Accord that aims to limit average temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, they have committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Since 1990, the UK has reduced its emissions by 40%, a faster reduction than any other major developed country, and aims to get that number to 78% by 2035.

The UK achieved this reduction in large part to cleaner electricity production, moving from coal to gas and renewables. Other factors include the reduction of energy use by both industry and homes, few total miles being driven and more efficient vehicles.

2019 UK Carbon emissions produced by sector:

• 27% transport
• 21% energy supply
• 17% business
• 15% residential
• 10% agriculture

In 2020 The Government released the ‘Ten point plan for a green industrial revolution’ that included an investment promise of £12 billion by 2030 to be directed to green technologies including hydrogen, offshore wind, nuclear, electric vehicles, heat, and buildings.

By 2030 the UK Government has committed to:

• 600,000 heat pump installations per year (2028) to replace gas-based heating systems
• 40 GW from Offshore wind, including 1GW of advanced floating rigs 
• Capture 10Mt C02 per year using Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS)
• 5GW of low carbon hydrogen energy
• Ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans and accelerating EV charging rollout
• Building net-zero ready homes

Read the full Build Back Better paper on the UK Government’s website.