UK lacks strategy to meet decarbonisation target

UK has no clear strategy to meet its target of electricity decarbonisation by 2035, said the country’s climate change advisers on Thursday. The country has already set a target to reach zero emissions by 2050.

UK is currently seeking to improve its energy independence after the Russian invasion of Ukraine that lead to high energy prices. In this light, the UK has set its goal of decarbonisation by 2035 to reduce its reliance on imported gas.

“The Government has not yet provided a coherent strategy to achieve its goal, nor provided essential details on how it will encourage the necessary investment and infrastructure to be deployed over the next 12 years,” said the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

The CCC also said that quick reforms could help the country in generating about 70 percent of its electricity by using renewable sources. Nuclear and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage  should account for around 20 percent by 2035.

The remaining supply needed is supposed to come from low-carbon back-up generation which include hydrogen powered turbines and fossil fuel plants.

Gas power plants are expected to provide 2 percent only without carbon capture technology. The gas power plants are currently responsible for 40 percent of the country’s electricity supply.

“The UK is a world leader in efforts to reach net zero and we have a laser-like focus on maintaining that position,” said a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and net zero.

According to Reuters, the CCC also warned that the UK power systems are not prepared to face the risks of climate change.

“If climate resilience is neglected in this investment, there is significant risk of locking in increased climate vulnerability or additional costs later on,” said the CCC.

The ongoing climate change crisis could lead to floods and storms that might damage the infrastructure or the wind power generation, it added.