Will The UK Miss Its Carbon Emissions Target?

The UK has pledged to cut its carbon emissions by more than half in 13 years or fewer, but it seems that there aren’t many in the energy industry that believes this can be achieved by the year 2030.

New research from the Energy Institute has revealed this week (June 26^th) that four-fifths of the organisation’s members believe in fact that the country will miss its target, the Guardian reports.

The problem, it seems to be, is that the government is hesitating over its energy policies, with stalled decisions including a competition to construct mini nuclear power plants and whether a subsidy deal will be struck for a tidal lagoon in Swansea.

In addition, the decision that was taken to leave Euratom, an EU nuclear cooperation treaty, has been viewed negatively by members of the institute for new projects like Hinkley Point C. Almost four-fifths of those asked said they believed this would also have a negative impact on the supply chain in the UK.

A new report from the National Audit Office has found that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has failed to sufficiently consider the costs and risks of the Hinkley deal for consumers, only considering the impact on bills up to the year 2030. Delays have already pushed construction back and the cost of top-up payments under the contract for difference has risen from £6 billion to £30 billion.

It was also highlighted by the Energy Institute that it’s now necessary to start decarbonising heat for businesses and homes around the country, but the government has thus far been slow to consider alternatives to natural gas – because the likes of electrification and hydrogen are viewed as more complicated than windfarms for example to help cut emissions from power.

If you are looking at how you could develop more renewable energy in Cumbria, contact us to find out how we can support you.