The UK has a legally binding agreement to reach net zero and not add greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere by 2050, with the government’s climate advisers saying that half of all homes need to have heat pumps in the next 15 years. Let’s look at this in more detail.
The Climate Change Committee states that we will need to change how we heat our homes and the cars we drive to help the country reach its net zero target. This will enable carbon budgets to be satisfied.
Carbon budgets explained
Carbon budgets are the total of the emissions that should be emitted in five-year periods, with each budget part of the long-term net zero plan. The latest budget suggested by the CCC states that emissions should drop to 13% of 1990 levels by 2040. This advice is not legally binding; however, it is usually accepted by the UK government.
Different choices
The CCC says that households need to make low-carbon choices, such as making use of air source heat pumps Gloucester and elsewhere. These are available from companies such as gsmlimited.com/services/air-source-heat-pumps/gloucester.
Changes that could result in the required one-third cut to emissions include swapping to electric vehicles and picking heat pumps over fossil fuel boilers. Eating less dairy and meat could also make a smaller contribution towards achieving the environmental targets.
The CCC’s chief executive, Emma Pinchbeck, said people should naturally start to make the move towards electric vehicle ownership but the government still needs to act to assist with the uptake of heat pumps. Currently, rollout rates for heat pumps in Britain are similar to those in Ireland and other European countries but greater numbers are still needed to achieve the desired effects.
More emission cuts
Further emission reductions will be needed in other areas, including flying and farming. These are typically amongst the most difficult sectors to decarbonise. The CCC has stopped trying to advise against overall airport expansions but has warned that ticket prices may go up as airlines pay for decarbonising efforts.
