The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), published its latest progress report on efforts to cut carbon emissions as the UK strives to meet its net zero target.
One of the main headlines from the report focused on a proposed phase out of fossil fuel boilers in UK households by 2035. Over 29 million homes, commercial and public buildings will need to switch towards low-carbon heating sources, and suggested that by 2035 there should be a phase out of all new gas boilers. They say from 2025 all new build homes will need to be built with low-carbon heating.
Housing is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the UK and the Government must shift to low-carbon heating systems to protect against overheating.
The CCC say it is not only low carbon heating that needs to be focused on, and other issues such as low-carbon retrofits, energy networks, green infrastructure, tree planting and circular economy also need to be addressed.
Their report also recommended that new hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure could provide a quick route to establishing new low-carbon industries. The CCC said large-scale hydrogen trials should begin in the early 2020's and the Government need to adopt a funding mechanism for both the operational costs of early deployment of industrial electrification and hydrogen use as well as CCS.
On the issue of electric vehicles and transport, the CCC suggested a raise in fuel duty. This carbon pricing could be used to drive low-carbon behaviour as well as raising funds for green incentives to help people make the switch to electric vehicles. They claim if electric vehicle charging points are fast-tracked a complete switch to electric vehicles could be managed by 2032.
Green passports are also covered in the CCC's report. These green passports for buildings would signify the property had been constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency. This could begin immediately and is hoped would provide new opportunities to create a jobs boom and re-skill the population.
The CCC commented on waste that within the next five years recycling rates could be increased rapidly but also biodegradable waste could stop being sent to landfill.
Lord Deben, CCC Chairman, said: ''The UK is facing its biggest economic shock for a generation. Meanwhile, the global crisis of climate change is accelerating. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address these urgent challenges together. The steps that the UK takes to rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic can accelerate the transition to a successful and low-carbon economy and improve our climate resilience. Choices that lock-in emissions or climate risks are unacceptable.''
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