The government recently updated its strategy for achieving an 80% reduction in annual carbon emissions by 2050, as legislated for by the Climate Change Act 2008.
On track
Published on 1 December the updated ‘Carbon Plan’ sets out how the UK will re-design its energy policy framework in a bid to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and become a “more efficient, low-carbon and sustainable economy”. It also sets out the path for a 50% reduction in annual carbon emissions (based on 1990 levels) by 2027 and an 80% cut in emissions by 2050.
According to the Plan, current policies have to-date helped the UK cut its emissions by over 25% on 1990 levels putting the country “on track” to exceed the 35% carbon reduction target set by the Fourth Carbon Budget for 2022.
This had been enabled by the “dash for gas” for electricity generation in the 1990s, which resulted in emissions from power stations falling by almost a quarter. In addition the last decade has seen a significant growth in low-carbon and renewables capacity, with a quarter of electricity generation now considered to be low-carbon, once nuclear power is taken into account.
In 2009 emissions from industry accounted for 23% of the UK’s total with over 80% originating from the generation of heat used in industrial processes. But since 1990, although industrial output has increased at an average of 1% a year, emissions have fallen by 46% as a result of industry embracing cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
Grand designs
The plan said that the focus for the UK over the next decade must be to complete the installation of proven and cost-effective technologies, particularly focusing on improving energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
This shift will be supported through the introduction of the Green Deal, which will remove the upfront costs of installing energy efficiency measures in existing buildings. The roll-out of smart meters from 2014 will also support consumers in managing their energy consumption and expenditure. On-site generation should also be promoted.
Following this the UK will then need to focus on a mass roll-out of low-carbon technologies. But the government reiterated it will support the development of a “portfolio of technologies” rather than “picking winners” at this stage.
During the 2020s it saw three main parts to the electricity generation sector portfolio: renewables; nuclear power; and coal- and gas-fired power stations with carbon capture and storage technology. Between 40GW and 70GW of new low-carbon generation will need to be deployed by 2030. Developing projects now will not only reduce the overall costs of moving to a low-carbon economy, but will help the UK gain a long-term competitive advantage in the low-carbon generation sector.
In 2030 and beyond, emissions from hard-to-treat sectors such as heavy industry, aviation, shipping and agriculture, will need to be tackled. The Plan acknowledged that this will require a range of solutions to be tested and proven during the next decade, including new energy efficiency technologies, bioenergy and biofuels and CCS for industrial processes.
No pain, no gain
The plan acknowledged the transition would not be easy, but the change would bring with it significant benefits, reducing costs overall and boosting the competitiveness of UK industry.
Source : The Informer
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