The UK must “rapidly replace fossil fuels with low carbon alternatives”, the government’s climate advisor warned today.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) said agreements made at the recent COP28 summit “call into question” recent UK government decisions on fossil fuel production.
COP28 agreed for the first time to transition away from fossil fuels. It set a goal to triple renewable capacity and double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
The UK had already committed to cut its carbon emissions by 68% by the same date.
But prime minister Rishi Sunak vowed last year to “max out” UK fossil fuel reserves and to issue more than 100 new North Sea licences. He also delayed net zero targets for ending fossil fuel boilers and vehicles.
In the past few months, several decisions on onshore oil and gas developments have ruled that energy security was more important than climate change or landscape protection.
In a report on COP28, published today, the CCC said the government should reassess whether further exploration for new sources of fossil fuels was aligned with UK climate obligations.
“The language agreed at COP28 does call into question recent UK government decisions on the production of fossil fuels.”
It said it recognised that UK fossil fuel production was declining and that new fossil fuel development within UK borders had “minimal impact” on UK carbon budgets. But it said:
“were all countries with fossil fuel reserves to increase future fossil fuel production, there would be an oversupply that would pose a risk to the aims of the Paris Agreement [on emissions reduction].”
It added:
“The role fossil fuel use and production play in our economies must decline and cleaner, safer, and more secure alternatives must expand.”
The CCC’s interim chair, Professor Piers Forster, said:
“We may be further into the decarbonisation journey than many nations, but the obligation on every country is now to push even harder.
“This also frames the economic challenge for the UK. We must rapidly replace fossil fuels with low-carbon alternatives to get back on track to meet our 2030 goal.”
He urged the government to “lean into its global role with an even stronger demonstration of domestic ambition”.
The CCC showed last year that the UK was not on track to meet this carbon emissions reduction target.
Today it said;
“the international perception of the UK’s climate ambition suffered from mixed messages following announcements on new fossil fuel developments and the Prime Minister’s speech to soften some Net Zero policies.”
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DRILL OR DROP? 
I suspect the British public are starting to recognise that energy security is vital for survival while Net Zero is a dangerous fantasy. The pendulum is swinging towards common sense.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/01/29/craig-mackinlay-rishi-sunak-net-zero-green-agenda-decline/?mc_cid=fa1661145b&mc_eid=4961da7cb1
“By failing to develop shale gas or rushing the closure of reliable fossil-fuelled power stations, we have lumbered ourselves with some of the world’s highest power costs, whilst subsidising intermittent renewables. And we impose some of the world’s highest carbon costs through the UK Emissions Trading Scheme on our industry, whose main competitors in China, India and the Middle East operate under no such burdens.”
I’m not sure the rantings of Craig Mackinley in the house newspaper of the terminally befuddled count as an expression of the will of the British public 😉
The voting in Uxbridge may, or may not either John, but for those who desire to continue with their 3 litre diesel BMWs the Guardian would indicate that would not be their view of the will of the British public. Shiraz with pork would also be questioned by many of the British public but I am all for quaint local traditions, although would prefer Shiraz and wild boar. (Which connects my befuddled grey cells to Sir Jim, see below.)
Then, after the last few years evidence where has the will of the British public been important? Around me they appear to want cheaper energy! In south Wales, they appear to want their jobs. In East Anglia they don’t want pylons. Etc., etc., etc……..
I did get an E mail yesterday from someone quoting the Telegraph. She is not terminally befuddled, although she does have solar panels, and the article was about something local to me. Quite factually accurate. I am not sure what the Student Union version would be but I will go with accuracy. I did have a Lib Dem leaflet for the next GE through my door and the inaccuracy within that balanced out against other sources, but then there is always recycling.
I note with interest, after the outcry about what Sir Jim would do to tax manage there is now the exposure of Mr.Musk managing his tax in Delaware. Lawyers will make a lot of money trying to get that sorted but it still looks to have been an interesting and maybe expensive miscalculation where tax saved may not balance legal costs and “salary” lost. Will probably all be countered by his call to US for protection from overseas competition succeeding, and the good old befuddled consumer will foot the bill. Hey ho, such is life.
Need to befuddle some badgers now that have decided my lawn should be dug up. Smearing something over my fence would appear to be a possible way of showing my unhappiness with their activities.
Can anyone translate / edit this Collywibble into something readable for me please.
Life really is too short to try to make sense of his [edited by moderator] fantasies about cars and ladies underwear.
Hmmm, if you had read the Telegraph you may have been up to date and would not need such assistance, John! Not that I sourced from the Telegraph, except for my local bit, but they did report on some of it I recall-and quite accurately.
Oh dear, missing the question mark John. It really is not too much of an issue asking for help. Even Superman did it for all his greatness! Alternatively, no one is forcing you into trying to make your sense out of anything printed here, or elsewhere-although you have this morning added your tuppence on what sense is.
You might like to read some of the stuff offered by some others on this site, and appreciate what the rest of us deal with. You appear to get “irritated” easily John, so perhaps better not to.
My local badgers have now been dealt with, although I note the formulation I sprayed along the fence is now without coal tar for some sort of green wish, so I will have to wait and see if it still does the job, otherwise I will lose the last two fruit trees out of thirteen as they search for grubs by removing bark. I like the badgers being neighbours, especially as it stops me having to protest about building in their wood, but some of their habits are not so likeable.
REFRACKTION ,
What MARTIN offers , is a feast of entertainment, something for ALL the family . An epic journey of Collywaffle and fantasy, taking you to far of places of make believe.
With MARTIN as the big gun for the Fracking industry , were certain to at least l keep this proven toxic industry from our shores.
MARTIN , What is your ” OPINION ” on what NASA are saying about the devastating effects of climate change??????
https://climate.nasa.gov/
Yes, even the terminally befuddled can see that Energy Security, being able to keep the lights and heating on at a reasonable price, make much more sense than economic suicide in pursuit of Net Zero fantasies.
Remember those “cheap” renewables that now need the horse (new nuclear) for when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine?
Well, EDF who had negotiated a nice little package to fund Hinkley Point-which was the UK energy user paying a high price for electricity now find they are about £20B SHORT to finish the project so are asking UK Gov-yes, US-to secure that extra. Will be lots of twaddle, but if the project is ever to be finished, guess who will pay?
“Different” sort of financing for Sizewell. Except, the result will be the same.