Committee on Climate Change says Parliament must act to meet targets

New report sets out a number of suggestions and recommendations.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says the Government must act to “shape climate policy” if emissions targets are to be met.

In a three-part report submitted to Parliament, recommendations are made which if implemented, will ensure that not only emissions are reduced, but costs to people and the country are reduced through adapting properly to climate change and its needs.

The report – Reducing emissions and preparing for climate change: 2015 Progress Report to Parliament, says that many policies set out by the Government have made progress, including protecting homes from floods, while planning national infrastructure better.

But it asks important questions about the long-term planning to tackle climate change, and specifically, about putting steps in place that go beyond this Parliament.

The CCC says that some issues have not been addressed; flood risk on some households is actually still increasing. The report says: “Higher temperatures pose risks to health and productivity that are not being properly addressed. Action will be needed in this Parliament to respond to these priorities.”

Covering progress towards meeting carbon budgets and the process of adapting to climate change, this is the CCC’s first report which is under sections 36 and 59 of the Climate Change Act.

Under the Climate Change Act, the Government must reduce the emissions from 1990 by 80% by 2050, in line with actions required across the world.

The CCC advises Parliament under this Act, on the best path to take in order to meet this and whether changes being made are appropriate.

Progress has been made, with an 8% drop in greenhouse gas emissions recorded last year when compared to 2013.

Emissions are 36% lower than the levels of 1990 and crucially, are within the annual average set out in the second carbon budget 2013-217.

However, the CCC feels that more can be done in this Parliament and beyond.

With that in mind, the Government is being advised to set a carbon objective in the power sector and extend the funding under the Levy Control Framework that stretches to 2025 and provides annual updates.

In terms of buildings, the CCC would like to see policies developed to deliver low carbon and energy efficiency but also address the key issues of heat stress and flooding.

The CCC wants the Government to ensure any infrastructure decisions made result in an increased resilience in networks and services during extreme weather, while also ensuring emissions are reduced.

Electric vehicles are rightly seen as an efficient mode of transport but as it stands, the costs are expensive. The CCC wants to see commitment to investing in these though because of the long-term benefits to reducing emissions.

Meanwhile, the Government is being advised to safeguard the numerous economic and amenity benefits provided by the natural environment throughout the country.

Lord Deben is the CCC’s Chairman and he explained why the Government must act and how this will be of benefit.

He said: “The Government has a unique opportunity to shape climate policy through the 2020s. It must act now to set out how it plans to keep the UK on track.

“Acting early will help to reduce costs to households, business and the Exchequer. It will improve people’s health and wellbeing and create opportunities for business in manufacturing and in the service sector.”

All three parts of the report can now be found on the CCC’s website.

The post Committee on Climate Change says Parliament must act to meet targets appeared first on UK Construction Online.