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? 
Vested interests who seem ignorant, or conveniently myopic of what is actually happening in the real world. Lean into a global role? Get real, this is no longer the Victorian age.
Are they really unaware that Drax has been given the go for CCS and Sizewell C has also been approved? If not unaware, perhaps just wanting to hide the costs that will need to be funded? (£2.5B already from UK Gov. (ie. tax payers) towards Sizewell C. All whilst Councils are consulting about CLOSING recycling centres as they are short of money.)
Global role? Who is that aimed to fool? Sounds like the Britishvolt debacle.
The comment about countries with reserves increasing production is just plain daft. Countries with reserves increase or DECREASE production, according to demand. This is not new, it has been happening for decades. What is new, or new in recent times, is the concern about how secure it is to rely upon others to supply local energy needs when the world is entering a very insecure phase. Energy security is more important than climate change to the people who are concerned about dying sooner rather than later. More renewables are no solution when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine and it takes up to 30 years, and £30B-maybe £46B if Hinkley- to get a new nuclear power station producing.
I suggest security also will be found to be more important than climate change, with spending upon defence likely to be increased dramatically very shortly. Sorry CCC, you and all those making a living from climate change, will just have to join the queue-unless you want to crowd fund your futures.
Basically, you can’t spend money you don’t have-and you don’t have much when energy costs drive jobs away from the UK and reduce individuals from having disposable income to spend and generate tax income.
I suppose if we do need more fuel from the output of old fossils we have a good supply here on the Drill or Drop comment section.
OMG, absent for so long and that is the best reaction “we” can expect? You could contribute if you had anything worthwhile to add, John. Your “offering” would indicate you still have not reached that stage, or perhaps you have been assiduously saving the plastic to make a difference. LOL.
Meanwhile, Norway just announces $213B PROFIT for 2023 from their Sovereign Wealth Fund (Reuters). Maybe, if UK had a bit more than Windfall Taxation to reduce high energy bills it would be able to invest and do all sorts of things with the proceedings. Another £100B still to be found in UK for Grid expansion and somewhere to store the radio active waste-which, for the UK will come from? The tax payer! I must admit, I do actually prefer such costs to be coming from profits on investments or business rather than out of my bank account.
Yes, I am one of those wise old owls, but I can still feel empathy for the youngsters who are struggling getting on with their lives whilst having costs imposed upon them they can not afford by those that are travelling on a very rewarding gravy train. However, no empathy with those wishing to add to that burden.
Well MARTIN , if you feel ” empathy ” for youngster, I naturally assume that knowing about the PROVEN toxic and environmental dangers of Fracking ….. You’d be dead against UK Fracking as an energy source
Or is your ” empathy ” very selective ?????
OH and when your going to pluck some numbers out of the air , please back up what you say with evidence……. Failure to do so , will render what you’ve said as nothing more than wild off-the-cuff Collywaffle
Well Jack, I know what those who “assume” say about….themselves. Knowing Jack Schitt is old hat in UK, Jack. There is no talk about allowing fracking on shore in UK, Jack…..yet. If you want to tilt against windmills, then there are plenty of real ones you could target.
As for John who believes borrowing is so cheap then he has been listening to Liz Truss! If you think that is judgement John, I understand why you have been quiet for so long. Try explaining that to those struggling to pay their mortgages. I would suggest having woken from hibernation give a little time for the brain to start working before you dive in otherwise you simply drown. A siren not even waiting for the wreckage to be washed away before advocating a repeat. Why not follow Jack and suggest the French will pay? Could even follow the political nonsense and suggest it would be “productivity” or “hope”. Take your choice, but it is all nonsense. The choice is austerity or high taxes-with a lot of that latter one falling on the shoulders of individuals if business has been forced overseas by high energy costs. Offering nonsense alternatives doesn’t hide the issue, they just highlight it.
Two real “quality” anti contributions? No economic awareness and nothing to contribute but nonsense. Sorry John, your ideas about quality I can happily ignore.
As far as CCC is concerned and COP, well, it seems that UK racing ahead has NOT established any “global role” but slowing down will! Isn’t that how the casino gets you to place another bet? Feel free, John, but if you borrow the money to do so you may find your credit rating becomes junk and no one will lend you any more.
SO MARTIN ,
Taking note of your above comment, I acknowledge that once again it’s void of any evidence… Therefore it has to be accepted, that what you are saying is pure Collywaffle.
Once again , thanks for NOTHING .
Jack and the readers are well aware of your hope for UK Fracking , but with your continued input on behalf of the Fracking industry , I’m certain we can keep it FROM our shores 🤣 ….. Keep up the good work.
As you bring up about the French , yes they are investing in UK Nuclear power.
https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4161716/edf-plans-gbp-3bn-investment-extend-life-ageing-uk-nuclear-energy-fleet
MARTIN ,take a look at this from EDF , you may learn something ……. See how they’re helping the UK reach net zero
https://www.edfenergy.com/about/nuclear
French sticking plasters on UK nuclear power stations to keep them running way beyond their designed life span, Jack. What could possibly go wrong? Surely Jack, you must be concerned about the risk of cancer to the UK population?
Why needed? Oh yes, the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. Start at that point of learning something, Jack, and then move onwards and upwards.
Fred – when you round off your Collywibble with “Basically, you can’t spend money you don’t have” you display a total ignorance of the way government spending has worked for 300 years or more. The fact that you appear to be ignorant of the National Debt and Government Bonds is quit amazing, but does at least confirm my judgement that there is an inverse relationship between quantity and quality in your posts. And boy, do you give us quantity 😂
Thanks for the laugh though John, having just received an E-mail of your last contribution from DoD. Underneath there was a quote stating:
“Great posts worth seeing from Refracktion”
Then, the first one:
“And in the naked light I saw……”
Took me back to ‘photos of ladies undies on a fence. Such quality posts?
Meanwhile, I note the IMF is now warning that UK can not afford any more tax cuts! Never mind, “we” could always borrow to do so in the parallel universe? If that is Group Think, good luck with that.
I won’t add the Emoji’s of my laughter, I tend to aim for the adult audience.
Young people have far more struggles to face than financial, if we continue to destroy the Earth’s climate. Harms to biodiversity, food shortages, flooding, droughts, rising sea temperatures and levels, land eroded and covered by the sea etc. And as the CIA stated – the biggest threat to world peace.
The fossil fuel industry and petro states don’t appear bountiful to most. The fossil fuel industry has played a major role to delay the transition to alternative energy. And producers frequently control supply to maintain prices. Wasn’t supply in some cases reduced once the exorbitant recent prices lowered slightly and requests to up production ignored? And I haven’t seen any of the majors doing anything to help consumers whilst they made obscene profits, polluted the planet and destroyed the climate.
And the industry continually drags its feet when it comes to reducing emissions and change.
There is a whole new green economy out there if the UK is ever brave enough to fully embrace it. We have rebuilt the nation after devastating wars, I don’t see borrowing to invest and improve infrastructure, industry and technology and achieve growth as a bad thing.
But borrowing to cut taxes now that is a bad idea. Just look how we are all paying the price of the Truss crash. Hasn’t a Minister just resigned because he can no longer afford his high mortgage payments, that increased because of his government’s actions?
It’s a shame borrowing has become more expensive, that necessitates more restraint. But we need to transition away from fossil fuels and we need to be a competitive, forward looking economy. Delaying essential progress and keeping fossil fuel dependent will not deliver that.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels is not a negative, it’s a positive. And being at the forefront of this inevitable change should be seen as a good thing. We have choices, but as I’ve said before, sadly governments often make poor choices and squander public money.
KatT-I don’t know about the Minister, but if daft enough to take out a mortgage when rates were so low and not be aware of what rates would move back to, he had no right to be a Minister. If he was not warned when he took out the mortgage then he should sue for miss selling, but he would have been. A Minister so unaware of what mortgage rates have been, and would return to? Sounds possible, but no sympathy from me.
I suspect, like a lot claiming issues now it may be a lot more about junking his own credit rating rather than his income level. In which case better keep quiet about it as it is not that surprising what can quickly junk a credit rating.
Borrowing is borrowing, KatT. Have you looked at even CURRENT UK debt repayments?
If borrowing whilst the world is either in recession, or about to enter it, and wars either underway or likely to happen-where energy supply will be weaponized successfully-is what the CCC and supporters have in mind then be honest about it. Someone else will NOT pay. The rich have their money in a form that can avoid such very easily.
You will see from Jack’s comment that is beyond your colleagues ability to deal with such reality. I suspect you, like me, have seen the debacle of PFI for other projects. I suspect Jack is unaware-that’s me being polite.
Why should it be seen as a good thing? The last COP basically inferred that our effort to attack the 1% and being at the forefront has achieved NOTHING. Roll the dice some more with another bet? For the remainder of 1%? With £20B nuclear becoming £46B nuclear EACH, then perhaps you like those sorts of odds.
Not sure your views upon tax cuts would be shared by too many of the young, unless they are not yet paying tax. Argue your views with John about Truss, he doesn’t seem to be aware of the reality either.
Must rush now to pick up my 3 yr old grandson. He can already do arithmetic better than others I could mention.
I’m sure he already writes better English than you do Fred!
Didn’t take you long to try and find some high ground, did it John? Good that you are so sure about some things but worrying you are so confused about others. Sorry, but your high ground turns out to be a swamp.
Yes, I can recall you have an English A level. Makes you so superior in all respects! Please get past page one of the manual.
If you really think I bother to write perfect English on (anti) social media, or anybody does, I fear you are confused by your greatness tag. Not sure that 4.02pm will be added to the list.
By the way, you can’t have a fact that appears to be something. It either is a fact, or it appears to be something. Must have been missing from class that day, John. “Quit amazing”?
“Too much excitement, not enough care Hobson. Must try harder. Not great.”
Fred , you must not allow your evident irritation and being gently ribbed on a comments page to spill out into yet more acidic Collywibble.
It makes you look terribly thin-skinned and adds little more to the debate than anything else you post. 😂
Except your use of the English language is flawed again, John. I am not irritated when there are those who have nothing to add but want to use their keyboards for other purposes. It is now the routine on DoD and you want to add to it. That is your right to do so but I simply point out what you are attempting, to avoid it being elevated to greatness. I have been pretty gentle about doing so as I know I would be moderated if I didn’t. In my view such “contributions” are not “great” to any reader but that is up to them to decide.
It actually makes me smile that this is supposed to be something to attract others to the Group Think, and that I am such a concern that such clumsy methods are required. However, if you feel more comfortable creating your own fantasy, feel free.
From your first “contribution” to this particular subject all you have added is acidic twaddle, John. There is a record. If you expect me to be confused by “superior” English to achieve exactly that then you compound and conflate your original ageist comment with my mental state. I quite enjoy my current stage of life, apart from arthritis in my hands. If I didn’t, and wanted to get down with the kids I could simply attempt to create an alter ego but the hair style puts me off that.
For those who advocate rapid phase out of fossil fuels, please understand that what you’re proposing is nothing short of economic suicide. https://gridwatch.co.uk/
Have a look at the amount of electricity we get from renewables at this very moment (see link) and see what is making up the shortfall (spoiler alert-Gas). We’ve spent billions on renewables so far for little or no apparent benefit. Our electricity prices are the highest in the western world. Twice as high as France and five times higher than the USA. With that degree of basic uncompetitiveness there can never be a green jobs boom in the UK. You might also be aware that the UK is currently experiencing the highest rate of bankruptcies in 30 years. If we continue with this route therefore we will only make things worse. The legacy for our children will be catastrophic. Much worse than anything Global Warming can throw at us.
I don’t think some understand the enormity of climate breakdown if they think economic problems is the worst we can face. And electricity prices are high because they are linked to, you guessed it expensive gas. We have no choice but to rapidly reduce fossil fuel use if we hope to avoid climate breakdown. We have delayed and procrastinated for decades.
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/your-questions-about-the-energy-crisis-answered-by-the-experts/#:~:text=Electricity%20prices%20are%20also%20high,distributed%20across%20our%20electricity%20network.
I wouldn’t call 43% of our power coming from a mix of wind, solar, bioenergy and hydroelectric sources “little or no apparent benefit”.
Out of interest what do you think *is* the worst that global warming can throw at us and what economic and social costs are you estimating that that worst will incur?
Last year UK imported 12% of electricity from France. Nice for France, pitifully dependent for UK. The interconnectors that were sold as being two way, have largely become one way. Plus, as the Channel Islands found out, they can be turned off.
ONS indicates UK population will grow 10% by 2036, yet country is being covered in solar farms. The incoherence around this whole subject is astonishing. The only thing that is certain is that when the children find there is no money, they will get the blame for being too numerous.
Having been informed there are now well paid jobs for naked domestic cleaners my thoughts are that global warming may also have benefits. Wouldn’t want to pay a high level of pay AND have to keep the heating turned up.
It has cost the UK £358bn so far for the covid crisis. We should borrow the same amount for huge renewable wave, wind, and solar projects which would have long term financial benefits for the UK.
Click to access 2023_HMT_COVD-19_Cost_Tracker_update.pdf
Well said John, how many billions did we waste on not fit for purpose PPE, fraudulent loans to East Europeans amongst others, temporary hospitals that stood empty because there were no staff to work in them etc etc?
Ahh the empty hospitals, KatT. PFI!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A load of Balls when he decided it would be a means of getting projects built that were not affordable. Have a word with Jack about it. HOPEFULLY, UK will get nuclear power stations that can be staffed. Have a word with Jack-although I note he is off to Texas, so you will need to be quick!
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You should have a try at keeping salt supplies to animal feed manufacturers going when a Beast from the East occurs. “Surprisingly” you would find that it is not easy to keep quality supplies going when everyone under the sun are outbidding you!
What absolute hypocrisy. Talk about looking after the grandchildren- by saddling them with huge debt! As my neighbour stated to his son, “I have just done my bit paying off WW2, Covid repayment is on you son”. Now, the antis want to create another huge debt for grandchildren to pay, simply because they can’t do arithmetic themselves. Jam tomorrow promises-except by the time tomorrow arrives it would be found the jam has gone off and the grandchildren get the bill.
1% WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE. COP has reported our expensive efforts made have MADE NO DIFFERENCE GLOBALLY. Not exactly an advert to encourage more down the drain, when it has been stated the drain is not working, by the drainage experts who all gathered for their annual jolly. Wonder how many actually paid their own bills?
Perhaps UK could get their hands on the $56B-YES BILLION-that it has been decided by a US court Mr. Musk was wrong in paying himself! No wonder there are some who think there is a never ending gravy train attached to Net Zero.
However, there is a huge amount of money being spent currently. Port Talbot/Drax/Sizewell C and on and on and on. Sorry if your pet projects are not there yet, but unlike jP suggestion, there is a queue and decent arithmetic needs to be concluded to get in the queue. More carts without any horses is hardly a prime contender, or electric trucks that only roll down a hill.
I am still adjusting to plentiful supplies of good quality English wines. It really is not that bad as adjustments go. Much more to my liking than learning to skate on the Thames.
Here you go Fred
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-editing-your-own-writing
You are welcome
MARTIN
I can see your continuing with your steadfast policy of supplying ZERO evidence to back up any of your comments
I’m sorry old chap / old lady whoever you really are , but JACK and the readers will once again have to accept your comment , as nothing more than a wild Off-The-Cuff OPINION.
I see your deep bitterness towards Mr Musk is rearing its ugly head again ….. A highly successful , Electric Vehicle , GREEN industry must be a very bitter pill to swallow for someone who fanatically pushes for fossil fuels.
Maybe some if the £12 BILLION cost for the UK fighting a war in another far of land could of been used to help the drive to net zero .
The House of Commons Library
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk › …
Detailed timeline of UK military assistance to Ukraine (February 2022-present)
I’m afraid I don’t understand your comment Martin, the so called Nightingale hospitals were temporary and largely unused.
And with a history of wasting public money you would think governments would learn by past mistakes and make better choices, which was largely my point.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/empty-nightingale-hospitals-government-healthcare-staff
Sorry KatT, I thought you were referring to the hospitals built under PFI by Mr. Balls, that turned out so expensive staffing was not possible!
Your reference to Nightingale Hospitals is much worse! There are hospital ships built to cover certain prospective problems KatT. If largely unused. would they be a waste of money?
How about armed forces?
I really did think you were referencing something that was valid, but it turns out to be something different. “We” live and learn.
AND MARTIN ,
You mention about your grandchildren.
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Fracking , CANCER in children
https://news.yale.edu/2022/08/17/proximity-fracking-sites-associated-risk-childhood-cancer
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/studies-link-fracking-childhood-cancer-asthma
It is awful to think of the premature deaths every year caused by the air pollution from the burning of all fossil fuels, like the tragic case of Ella -Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. This is one of the many reasons, despite the best attempts of the fossil fuel industry, the delayers and deniers, the transition away from fossil fuels is not only essential but a positive on so many fronts.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55330945
It is less awful KatT to think about all those RESCUED from premature death through the use of fossil fuels. My nephew was by the air ambulance, and there are millions more around the world. Take a look at life expectancy for all those not in that bracket also since the use of fossil fuels and compare with what was the case beforehand.
I shouldn’t divert too much from Greta, KatT. Get angry is fine, when you suggest people should think they may not think as you would like.
Last time I checked, Yale was not in UK Jack. As you have already stated that US energy policy is irrelevant to UK, it is Jack who has posted something he has stated as irrelevant. Good try Jack, but not convincing to me, or my grandchildren. I will make efforts to keep them away from all of that cobalt being introduced to UK, which is a known cancer risk in UK. Not sure I will be able to keep them away from the nuclear power stations, or even the ones with extended life spans, or the nuclear subs. sitting rotting that are too costly to scrap-all in UK. Once the underground nuclear waste storage facilities are eventually built, they can check where they are Jack and either get very cheap houses or keep far away.
Bitterness towards Mr. Musk? Nope, Jack, I admire anyone who can make so much money out of Net Zero, yet not recognize workers rights, pay no income to share holders yet still retain his followers-albeit less of them day by day (see Hertz decision, see decision from Danish Pension Fund.) A highly successful EV market? In your dreams. By the way, still waiting to see your apology to anyone foolish enough to follow your previous ramping.
[Edited by moderator]
Thanks to John for his offering. “Quit” useful? No. Great? No. Not really doing anything regarding your petard John, but having hoisted yourself up so readily it would have to be much greater to lower you back down. Bit like Greta trying to educate!
As you seem to have missed the other class, I will help you with the following:
Oxymoron: a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
Based on Greek: oxus “sharp” + moros “foolish”.
In my neck of the woods, “we” are a bit more basic, but I would not argue with the Greeks.
MARTIN 🤣
Taking note of your first paragraph.
So in your world , if the information didn’t originate in the UK your won’t accept it 🤣
The results of this study , warning of the dangers of Fracking to children , have come from the YALE School of Public Health
Once again , I thank you for givingJACK , the continual opportunities to HAMMER HOME the dangers of Fracking in the UK …..
You just keep on churning out wild Off-The-Cuff OPINIONS in favor of Fracking and JACK will keep highlighting the DANGERS with evidence..
Keep up the good work old chap/ old lady .
FRACKING , birth defects and climate change
https://waterskraus.com/fracking-contributor-climate-change-birth-defects/
FRACKING , a danger to unborn and newborn babies
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/babies-born-closer-to-fracking-sites-are-more-likely-to-be-underweight
Nope, Jack, I was referring to your own dismissal of US energy reported issues occurring in UK. Anyone who has been reading this site must be aware of it.
Surely Jack, you would not be wanting to cherry pick afterwards, or simply reverse?
Where is a lot of UK gas coming from, Jack?
Meanwhile, I note more N.Sea licences awarded today. So, you must be pleased that if successful, they might reduce US gas imports, or would you rather wait until “we” are friends again with Russia??