Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target.
While I appreciate your concerns, the assessment of the independent Committee on Climate Change has concluded that this target is feasible, deliverable and can be met within the same cost as was estimated for our previous target of 80 per cent which was set back in 2008, such has been the power of innovation in reducing costs.
That is not to mention that the actual impact could be partially or completely off-set by wider benefits such as better health through reduced air pollution, improved efficiencies across the economy and the creation of green collar jobs and clean growth. We can also reduce the risks of catastrophic and costly climate change driven impacts like flooding.
However, it is right that we should look carefully at how these costs are distributed in the longer-term. That is why the Government is accepting the recommendation of the Committee for the Treasury to lead a review into the costs of decarbonisation. This will consider how to achieve the transition to net zero in a way that works for households, businesses and public finances. It will also consider the implications for UK competitiveness.
Ultimately, in fulfilling the scale of the commitment, we will need technological and logistical changes in the way we use our land and to seize the opportunity to support investment in a range of new technologies, including in areas such as carbon capture, usage and storage, hydrogen and bioenergy. The foundations for these step changes are already in place, including in the Industrial Strategy and the Clean Growth Strategy, and the UK has already shown real results in terms of boosting investment in renewables, reducing emissions and maintaining energy security.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Mel Stride MP
MP for Central Devon
