Understanding the UK’s
Clean Growth Strategy
Inside Out
THE UK WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO SELF-IMPOSE A LEGALLY BINDING CARBON REDUCTION TARGET
The UK’s 2008 Climate Change Act sets a framework for legally binding five-year carbon budgets. This constitutes a series of staging posts towards a
long-term goal of cutting greenhouse emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
In the period from 1990 to 2017, emissions reductions of 42% were achieved vs. total economic growth of 66% – this was a better emissions’
reduction record than any other G7 nation and also the best overall economic growth rate of the group over this period.
The UK outperformed the target emissions reductions of the first carbon budget (2008 to 2012) by 1%, while projecting to outperform against
the second and third budgets, covering the years 2013 to 2022, by almost 5% and 4% respectively – set against expected economic growth of 12
% over that time .
Published in November 2017, the Clean Growth Strategy covers the fourth and fifth carbon budgets, spanning 2023-2027 and 2028-2032, by
when the UK must cut its greenhouse gas emissions to 57% below 1990 levels.
Key features of the UK’s Clean Growth Strategy
Looking to accelerate the pace of clean growth by decreasing emissions while, at the same time, boosting economic growth, there are two
guiding objectives underpinning the Clean Growth Strategy.
To meet domestic commitments at the lowest possible net cost to UK taxpayers, consumers and businesses.
To maximise the social and economic benefits for the UK from this transition.
For this vision to become a reality, the government has committed to rolling out lower-carbon processes, systems and technologies, doing so
in the most cost-effective way possible for businesses and homes alike. The strategy’s focus is on SIX KEY AREAS which account for the totality
of the UK’s carbon emissions.
IMPROVE BUSINESS AND
INDUSTRY EFFICIENCY (25%
OF UK EMISSIONS)
The focus of this initiative is the development
of a package of measures to support
businesses to improve their energy productivity,
by at least 20% by 2030.
Following the outcome of the independent
review of building regulations and fire safety,
and subject to its conclusions, to consult on
improving the energy efficiency of new and
existing commercial buildings
• Consulting on raising minimum standards
of energy efficiency for rented commercial
buildings
• Exploring how voluntary building
standards can support improvements
in the energy efficiency performance of
business buildings, and how to improve
the provision of information and advice
on energy efficiency to SMEs
• Simplifying the requirements for
businesses to measure and report on
energy use, to help identify where bills can
be cut
Other measures include demonstrating
international leadership in carbon capture
usage and storage (CCUS), by collaborating
with global partners and investing up to
£100 million in leading edge CCUS and
industrial innovation to drive down costs.
Working in partnership with industry, through
a new CCUS Council, so as to be on a path
to meet the ambition of having the option
of deploying CCUS at scale in the UK, and to
maximise its industrial opportunity. Phasing
out the installation of high carbon forms
of fossil fuel heating in new and existing
businesses off the gas grid during the 2020s,
starting with new builds.
Key transport initiatives
•
•
•
IMPROVE THE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY OF OUR HOMES
(13% of UK EMISSIONS)
Key initiatives will be to support a £3.6 billion
of investment to upgrade around a million
homes through the Energy Company
Obligation (ECO), and extend support for
home energy efficiency improvements until
2028 at the current level of ECO funding, and
to offer all households the opportunity to have
a smart meter to help save energy by the end
of 2020.
ACCELERATE THE SHIFT TO
LOW-CARBON TRANSPORT
(24% of UK EMISSIONS)
•
•
Ending sales of new conventional petrol
and diesel cars and vans by 2040/2030
Spending £1 billion to support the take-up
of ultra-low emission vehicles and helping
consumers to overcome the upfront cost
of an electric car
Developing one of the best electric
vehicle charging networks in the world
by investing an additional £80 million,
alongside £15 million from Highways
England for charging infrastructure
deployment
Accelerating the uptake of low emission
taxis and buses
Investing £1.2 billion to make cycling/
walking the natural choice for shorter
journeys with around £841 million of
public funds invested in innovation in low
carbon transport technologies and fuels
Continued on page 20
Fuel Oil News | July 2019 19