The UK on track to reach its 2030 emissions reduction target

The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC), which reports to Parliament on progress related to climate change, has released its annual report, stating that the country could possibly reach its objective to reduce emissions by 68% on 1990 levels by 2030, which is consistent with attaining carbon neutrality by 2050.  Indeed, according to the CCC, more than 61% of the required reduction in emissions to hit the 2030 NDC is covered by either credible plans or has some associated risks, mostly in the electricity supply and surface transport sectors. For the remaining 39%, there are either significant risks, or insufficient or unquantified plans. The biggest risks are around ensuring the required scale-up in roll-out of heat pumps and the support for industrial electrification

Progress to date has been primarily driven by the decarbonisation of the electricity system, with renewables replacing both coal and, increasingly, gas. Improvement has also been made in industry and transport, although these changes are not occurring rapidly enough, the CCC warns. The CCC’s main concern is energy pricing. High electricity costs, which are driven by global gas prices and green levies, make electricity less competitive than gas. The report calls for government action to reduce electricity prices and support electrification.

GHG emissions in the UK have more than halved since 1990. They have steadily decreased, with 2024 levels 50.4% below those of 1990, representing a 2.5% reduction from 2023. However, the report states that this pace will need to more than double toward the end of the decade in order to meet the UK’s nationally determined contribution (NDC).