United Kingdom’s Sustainability Strategy

Introduction:

The term “net zero emissions” describes a situation in which the amount of greenhouse gases removed equals the amount of gases released into the atmosphere. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a level that does not contribute to global warming in order to achieve net zero emissions and keep the increase in global temperature to below 2°C. In order to mitigate the effects of climate change and lower the likelihood of environmental disasters, the idea of net zero emissions is essential (Levin, 2019).

According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, efforts should be made to keep the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and to keep it below 2°C (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2015). A critical step towards achieving this goal and lessening the effects of climate change is achieving net zero emissions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), reducing CO2 emissions to 40–70% below 2010 levels by 2050 and achieving net zero emissions between 2055 and 2070 are necessary to keep global warming below 2°C (Dimitrov, 2016).

Reducing emissions across all industries — including energy, agriculture, and transportation — is necessary to reach net zero emissions. With around two-thirds of the total emissions coming from the energy sector, it is the biggest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions (Agency, 2019). The use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, must be increased, and the use of fossil fuels must be decreased, in order to reduce emissions from the energy sector. It also entails enhancing energy effectiveness and lowering energy waste.

Another large source of greenhouse gas emission, accounting for 10% of the total, is agriculture (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013). In order to reduce emissions from agriculture, it is necessary to increase the use of sustainable agricultural practises, decrease food waste, and increase animal production efficiency. Reducing vehicle emissions and boosting the use of electric vehicles are necessary to reduce the transportation sector’s 14% contribution to overall emissions (Agency, 2019).

To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the United Kingdom has made a commitment. This is a big step toward combating the effects of climate change and lowering the nation’s carbon footprint. All sectors, including energy, industry, agriculture, and transportation, are to be reduced in terms of greenhouse gas emissions under the project (Gudde, 2021).

According to a 2019 assessment by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK may achieve net zero emissions by 2050 by implementing a variety of strategies, including expanding the use of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and lowering emissions from transportation. According to the report, the shift to a low-carbon economy will help the economy and lead to the creation of new jobs in industries like renewable energy and electric vehicles (Committee, 2017).

The UK government unveiled its Clean Growth Strategy in 2019, which outlines a strategy to lower emissions while also fostering economic growth. The policy calls for actions like boosting the use of low-carbon heating and cooling systems and promoting the advancement of low-emission technology, as well as enhancing building energy efficiency (Rosenow, 2020).

The UK may achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through a mix of measures, including increasing the use of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and lowering emissions from transportation, according to a study by the Energy Research Institute (ERI) that was published in 2020. In order to facilitate the shift to a low-carbon economy, the study also emphasizes the significance of creating a low-carbon electrical grid (Rosenow, 2020).

An important step in tackling the effects of climate change and lowering the UK’s carbon footprint is the country’s pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Research and strategies that illustrate the advantages and prospects of a low-carbon economy are used to support the project.

Achieving net zero emissions is a critical step in mitigating the impact of climate change and reducing the risk of environmental disasters. Achieving net zero emission requires stopping the usage of petrol vehicles, reducing emissions from all sectors, increasing the use of renewable energy and sustainable practices.

Stopping Petrol Vehicles:

It is possible to switch from gasoline-powered automobiles to electric or alternative fuel ones. However, it necessitates major infrastructure and technological investment, as well as adjustments to consumer behavior and governmental regulations. In accordance with a study published in Energy Policy, financial incentives for consumers, the implementation of emissions rules, and investments in charging infrastructure can all hasten the switch to alternative fuel cars (Wretling, 2018).

To attain zero net emissions, gasoline vehicles can be replaced, but this will require a major investment, regulatory backing, and a change in consumer behavior. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will depend on a number of factors, including the development of inexpensive, high-energy batteries, fast charging infrastructure, and consumer acceptance of the technology (Zambrano-Gutiérrez, 2018).

In conclusion, the replacement of petrol vehicles with EVs is a critical step in achieving zero net emissions. However, this transition will require significant investment, policy support, and consumer behavior change. Additionally, it will be necessary to shift energy production to clean, renewable sources in order to truly achieve zero net emissions.

Possibility to achieve the UK’s goal:

It is possible for the UK to stop the usage of petrol vehicles by 2030, but it would require significant policy and infrastructure changes. According to a study by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), “Phasing out conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035, and accelerating the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), is necessary for the UK to achieve its 2050 emissions targets and meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement” (Committee, 2017).

When greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are created at the same rate as they are removed from the atmosphere, this is referred to as having zero net emissions. Many nations have pledged to the Paris Agreement that they would reach zero net emissions by the year 2030 (Dimitrov, 2016).

The UK govt is trying to stop the usage of petrol vehicles to achieve zero net emissions. The UK government would need to invest heavily in EV charging infrastructure and battery storage, as well as increase the use of low-emission vehicles in the public sector. The stoppage of petrol vehicles can be made possible by the govt by giving incentives to the companies working on electric vehicles, by providing the right option in place of petrol vehicles and raising awareness about it.

References:

Climate Change Committee (2017). Net Zero — The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming — Committee on Climate Change. [online] Committee on Climate Change. Available at: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/net-zero-the-uks-contribution-to-stopping-global-warming/.

Dimitrov, R.S. (2016). The Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Behind Closed Doors. Global Environmental Politics, [online] 16(3), pp.1–11. doi:10.1162/glep_a_00361.

Gudde, P., Oakes, J., Cochrane, P., Caldwell, N. and Bury, N. (2021). The role of UK local government in delivering on net zero carbon commitments: You’ve declared a Climate Emergency, so what’s the plan? Energy Policy, 154, p.112245. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112245.

International Energy Agency (2019). World Energy Outlook 2019 — Analysis — IEA. [online] IEA. Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2019.

Kosai, S., Zakaria, S. and Che, H.S. (2022). Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Petrol, Biodiesel and Battery Electric Vehicles in Malaysia Based on Life Cycle Approach. ProQuest, [online] p.5783. doi:10.3390/su14105783.

Levin, K., Fransen, T., Schumer, C., Davis, C. and Boehm, S. (2019). What Does ‘Net-Zero Emissions’ Mean? 8 Common Questions, Answered. www.wri.org. [online] Available at: https://www.wri.org/insights/net-zero-ghg-emissions-questions-answered?trk=organization_guest_main-feed-card_feed-article-content [Accessed 29 Jan. 2023].

Rosenow, J., Lowes, R., Broad, O., Hawker, G., Wu, J., Qadrdan, M. and Gross, R. (2020). The Pathway to Net Zero Heating in the UK. [online] doi.org. Available at: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/76380/.

Wretling, V., Gunnarsson-Östling, U., Hörnberg, C. and Balfors, B. (2018). Strategic municipal energy planning in Sweden — Examining current energy planning practice and its influence on comprehensive planning. Energy Policy, 113, pp.688–700. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2017.11.006.

Zambrano-Gutiérrez, J.C., Nicholson-Crotty, S., Carley, S. and Siddiki, S. (2018). The Role of Public Policy in Technology Diffusion: The Case of Plug-in Electric Vehicles. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(19), pp.10914–10922. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b01149.