UK Government sets out a path to net-zero

On 19 October, the UK Government announced that it is unlocking up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030 to end the UK's contribution to climate change by 2050.

Building on the Prime minister's 10 Point Plan, the new Net Zero Strategy will set out a "comprehensive economy-wide plan for how British businesses and consumers will be supported in making the transition to clean energy and green technology – lowering Britain's reliance on fossil fuels by investing in sustainable clean energy in the UK, reducing the risk of high and volatile prices in the future, and strengthening our energy security".

As part of the strategy, the Government wants to:

• invest extra £350 million of up to £1 billion commitment to support the expansion of electric vehicles and their supply chains in the UK and another £620 million for targeted electric vehicle grants and infrastructure, including charging points, with plans to put thousands of more zero-emission cars and vans onto UK roads through a zero-emission vehicle mandate;
• improve work on commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which is made from sustainable materials, such as household waste, flue gas, carbon captured from the atmosphere and excess electricity, which produce over 70% fewer carbon emissions than traditional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis; the Government aims to support the industry with £180 million to support the development of SAF plants;
• create a £140 million Industrial and Hydrogen Revenue Support scheme to accelerate industrial carbon capture and hydrogen;
• provide an extra £500 million towards innovation projects to develop green technologies of the future and research, bringing the total funding to £1.5 billion;
• provide £3.9 billion of new funding to decarbonise heat in buildings, including a £450 million three year Boiler Upgrade Scheme;
• help in restoring English peatlands by providing £124 million to boost Nature for Climate Fund to restore approximately 280,000 hectares of peat;
• provide £120 million towards the development of nuclear projects through the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund, which would help to decarbonise UK's electricity earlier.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The UK's path to ending our contribution to climate change will be paved with well-paid jobs, billions in investment and thriving green industries – powering our green industrial revolution across the country.

By moving first and taking bold action, we will build a defining competitive edge in electric vehicles, offshore wind, carbon capture technology and more, whilst supporting people and businesses along the way.

With the major climate summit COP26 just around the corner, our strategy sets the example for other countries to build back greener too as we lead the charge towards global net zero."

In addition to this strategy, the UK Government published a variety of plans recently to decarbonise UK energy and heat through switching to heat pumps as well as committing to decarbonise the electricity system by 2035.

However, some researchers and activists call this plan weak, incomplete and "riddled with holes and omissions". Additionally, a recent report published by the treasury, stated that such extensive funding for decarbonisation would require future Governments "to consider changes to existing taxes and new sources of revenue" rather than relying on borrowing.