Britain is expected to fall short of its goals to cut carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century, according to a report by Norwegian risk manager DNV.
Despite pledging to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement, the report predicts that Britain will only achieve a 55% reduction compared to 1990.
Hari Vamadevan, executive vice president and regional director, UK & Ireland, energy systems at DNV, “Without immediate action the UK will fail to deliver on its climate commitments, fall behind in the global race to decarbonize.”
Britain aims to eliminate all emissions by 2050 compared to 1990, per its legally binding target alongside the Paris Climate Agreement.
However, annual emissions are anticipated to reach 125 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2050, representing an 85% reduction from 1990 levels, falling short of the government’s goal of 100% reduction, according to DNV’s report.
Transport and buildings are expected to be the biggest contributors to emissions in 2050.
The government targets 10 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. This can reduce industry carbon emissions and potentially replace some gas in Britain’s heating systems.
