APRIL 2022 CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY REVIEW
The latest policy review from our Policy and Strategy Lead, Sean Morris.
INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR: THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW. WE CAN HALVE EMISSIONS BY 2030 — IPCC
In 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed.
UK ‘TOO SLOW’ OVER CLIMATE CRISIS DESPITE STARK IPCC REPORT
The UK government is moving too slowly to tackle the climate emergency, leading scientists have said in the wake of the latest IPCC report.
METHANE IN EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE ROSE BY RECORD AMOUNT LAST YEAR, US GOVERNMENT DATA SHOWS
Atmospheric levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, increased by a record amount for the second year in a row in 2021, according to US government data.
POOR LAND MANAGEMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE EXPLOITATION THREATENS HALF OF GLOBAL GDP, UN WARNS
A major new report from the UN has revealed that 40% of the world’s land is degraded and that, without major restoration and preservation efforts, there will be grave outcomes for society, nature and climate.
UK CLIMATE POLICY
UK CARBON EMISSIONS RISE BY ALMOST 5% IN 2021
The UK's emissions have rebounded following years of recorded reductions after the ending of lockdown and uptake in transport delivered almost a 5% increase in year-on-year emissions in 2021. Figures from the Government have revealed that emissions in 2021 increased by 4.7% compared to 2020 levels.
UK GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES ENERGY SECURITY STRATEGY
The Government’s new Energy Security Strategy strongly supports offshore wind, solar and new nuclear, but is less clear on energy efficiency, onshore wind, tidal or hydrogen.
UK ENERGY SECURITY PLAN CRITICISED AS MISSED CHANCE TO REDUCE BILLS
The government’s energy security plan has been dismissed as a missed opportunity to bring down bills rapidly, over its failure to fund energy efficiency upgrades or back onshore windfarms.
WIND TURBINES SET A NEW UK RECORD IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR
Renewable sources overall generated more power than gas and coal for only the second time, according to data from market specialist EnAppSys.
HYDROGEN ‘TWICE AS POWERFUL A GREENHOUSE GAS AS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT’: UK GOVERNMENT STUDY
A study released by the UK government has found that hydrogen is twice as powerful a greenhouse gas as previously thought.
NATIONAL GRID TO BE PARTLY NATIONALISED TO HELP REACH NET ZERO TARGETS
The job of keeping the UK’s electricity and gas flowing will be returned to public control by 2024, under government plans for the effective nationalisation of a division of National Grid.
UK’S ENERGY STORAGE PIPELINE DOUBLES WITHIN A YEAR, SURPASSING 32GW
As the net-zero transition continues, the UK’s energy storage pipeline is growing rapidly and has surpassed 32GW for the first time, according to trade body Renewable UK.
UK PLASTIC PACKAGING TAX COMES INTO FORCE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging will have to comply with a new Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) on any plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled plastic content.
GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH NEW CLIMATE CHANGE GCSE
A new climate change GCSE on the importance of the natural world and how to “conserve the planet” is to be launched this week.
CITIES CLIMATE CHANGE INITATIVES
CITY LEADERS CALL ON NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO DELIVER RENEWABLE AND RETROFIT REVOLUTIONS
The mayors and leaders of some of Europe’s major cities have called on national governments to deliver a 10-point plan that alleviates the ongoing energy crisis by unleashing the potential of clean, low-carbon power sources to help reduce costs and decarbonise buildings.
COST OF LIVING AND ENERGY CRISIS
ENERGY CHIEFS FEAR 40% OF BRITONS COULD FALL INTO FUEL POVERTY IN ‘TRULY HORRIFIC WINTER’
Energy firms inundated with calls from customers and they are deeply alarmed by the impact of October’s scheduled cap rise in energy bills.
TRANSPORT EMISSIONS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
TOP 10 AREAS OF BRITAIN MOST AT RISK OF FLOODING DUE TO CLIMATE CRISIS REVEALED
New research using climate crisis data has identified the 10 areas of Britain expected to be the most at risk of flooding by 2050.
UK ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES SOAR, DESPITE SLUMP IN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for their highest ever market share of monthly sales in March 2022, increasing by more than 78% compared to the same time last year, new research has revealed.
UK GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES DELIVERY GROUP ON HYDROGEN AND ELECTRIC AVIATION
Ryanair and British Airways have provided updates on their plans to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), while the UK Government has launched a new ‘Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group’ tasked with accelerating the development of hydrogen and electric planes.
FOOD AND CLIMATE IMPACTS
OUR FOOD SYSTEM ISN'T READY FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Guardian spotlight – detailed report on the global food system and how it cannot cope with the climate crisis.
HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE
‘POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING’: CLIMATE CRISIS MAY FUEL FUTURE PANDEMICS
‘Zoonotic spill-overs’ are expected to rise with at least 15,000 instances of viruses leaping between species over next 50 years.
CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE
PROTECTED AREAS DON’T ALWAYS BENEFIT WILDLIFE, GLOBAL STUDY FINDS
International study of wetland birds in national parks and other reserves shows that species-specific management is crucial to success.
BUSINESS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
TREASURY SETS UP TRANSITION PLAN TASKFORCE TO ASSIST CORPORATE CLIMATE DISCLOSURE
The Treasury has unveiled a new Taskforce to oversee the development of a “gold standard” for climate transition plans for UK companies, a pledge that was made at COP26.
SHOULD BUSINESSES BE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO SET SCIENCE-BASED CLIMATE TARGETS?
Corporate support for science-based emissions targets has grown exponentially in recent years, with more than 1,200 businesses now having verified their targets voluntarily.
BUSINESS GIANTS COMMIT TO REGENERATIVE FASHION MANIFESTO
A host of fashion giants including Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Stella McCartney and Zalando, have agreed to adopt a new “Regenerative Fashion Manifesto” aimed at delivering a climate and nature-positive sector.