UK raises climate ambition to cut emissions by 68% by 2030

The UK government has committed to a more ambitious target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 68% from 1990 levels by 2030, it said late Dec. 3, setting a policy target that it hopes will unleash a wave of clean infrastructure investment.

The increase in climate ambition follows a recent 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution announced by the government Nov. 18, and comes ahead of the COP26 United Nations climate summit in November 2021 which the UK is hosting in Glasgow.

"We have proven we can reduce our emissions and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process – uniting businesses, academics, NGOs and local communities in a common goal to go further and faster to tackle climate change," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.

"Today, we are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030, faster than any major economy, with our Ten Point Plan helping us on our path to reach it."

Tackling climate change is a global effort, and the UK is urging world leaders to bring forward their own ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net-zero targets at a Climate Ambition Summit planned for Dec. 12.

The tougher target of 68% by 2030 forms the UK's upgraded Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement – each country's formal climate pledge under the 2015 deal, which aims to limit global temperature increase to no more than 2 degrees Celsius by 2100.

The UK's previous target under its NDC was to cut emissions by 53% by 2030 from a 1990 baseline.

"Many countries have now made net-zero commitments and this round of NDCs, which set a 2030 emissions reduction target, will need to be consistent with those longer-term commitments," the government said. "The UK's announcement, which reflects the independent Climate Change Committee's advice on net-zero, does just this."

Major push on clean infrastructure

Energy companies with UK-based interests welcomed the UK's stronger climate target.

Equinor said that as a "significant and growing investor in the UK" it welcomed the increased climate ambition, which would "encourage more investment and job creation in a UK low-carbon economy."

Equinor is developing clean technology including offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects in the UK.

Utility SSE said the new target provides a clear long-term signal for businesses to invest.

"With a GBP7.5 billion ($9.9 billion) low-carbon investment program, including building the world's largest offshore wind farm at Dogger Bank, we're playing our part and want to do more to demonstrate the UK's international leadership as we build towards COP26 next year – from pioneering carbon capture and storage technology to building the network infrastructure needed to accommodate the coming surge in renewables, electric vehicles and heat pumps," SSE said, quoted in the UK government statement.

Scottish Power CEO Keith Anderson said the company will invest GBP10 billion in the next five years towards doubling its renewable energy generation capacity, delivering the network infrastructure required to support decarbonization across transport and heat as well as offering customers 100% clean power.

The UK's stronger emissions reduction target does not include international aviation and shipping -- which are not commonly accounted for at the national level and are dealt with under separate international agreements.

The UK also said it intends to meet its NDC through domestic action and will not rely on international emissions credits.