Current government plans will fail to meet the 2030 climate goals

With just under 50 days to go until COP26, new analysis by think-tank Green Alliance shows little-to-no progress has been made in vital policy areas.

According to the analysis, current government plans add up to just under a quarter (24%) of emissions cuts needed to achieve its 2030 climate goal.

If policy currently out for consultation by key departments was adopted in the Net Zero Strategy, then the UK would be a third (35%) of the way to its 2030 target. 

The authors highlight that the government can rapidly close this gap by implementing solutions, however, unless the Net Zero Strategy is backed up by funding in the Comprehensive Spending Review, no progress will be made ahead of Glasgow. 

Caterina Brandmayr, head of climate policy at Green Alliance said: ‘This is a make or break moment for the Government’s record on climate change.

‘Over the next 8 weeks, in the run-up to COP26, the UK public want to see bold and ambitious action to unlock thousands of new jobs in the industries of the future. The analysis we’ve published today shows how much the Prime Minister and Chancellor have yet to do.

‘The Glasgow Summit will fail without the major emitters such as the US and China making genuine commitments in these final 50 days – and as President, the UK has to lead the way to raise ambition globally.

‘Unless the imminent Net Zero Strategy and Comprehensive Spending Review meet the scale of the challenge and opportunity, the UK will be headed into Glasgow with little to show by way of progress on cutting its emissions in this crucial decade.’

Laura Townshend, communications director at The Climate Coalition added: ‘Recent public concern about climate change has reached an all-time high, and with that comes a massive mandate for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to step up and deliver on the policies that will bring polluting carbon down as quickly as possible.

‘With the UN climate talks due to start in under two months, there’s never been a better opportunity to reflect skyrocketing public concern and demonstrate leadership. The UK must play its part to limit warming of the Earth to safer levels, supporting those at the frontline of climate change, and protecting the natural world.’

Photo by Jamie Street