Following criticism from its independent climate change advisory, the government has proposed new measures to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings and decarbonise transport.
In July, the independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC) found that action in the UK to curb carbon emissions was “lagging behind what is needed” to meet legally-binding targets, with the government delivering on just one of 25 critical policies in the last year.
On 15 October, the government published its official response to the findings. New proposals to accelerate action include a new package of energy efficiency measures for businesses, which the government says could save firms £1 million a year in energy bills by 2030.
A new consultation has been launched on plans to improve the energy performance of rented commercial buildings by setting a minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC Band B by 2030. This could reduce UK emissions by the equivalent of half a million homes - roughly the size of Birmingham.
A consultation will also be launched in 2020 to introduce mandatory in-use energy performance ratings for business buildings, to help companies understand and manage the amount of energy they use.
Business and energy secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Four months ago the UK took the bold step of becoming the first country in the developed world to put into law our ambition to wipe out the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050, following the CCC’s advice.
“This builds on our long and proud track record of leadership - since 1990 we’ve cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent while growing our economy by more than two thirds. More than half of our electricity currently comes from low carbon sources. And we will keep on going further and faster to ensure our action meets our ambition.”
The government has also recognised the need to scale up efforts to reduce emissions from transport and by next year will complete the UK’s first ‘Transport Decarbonisation Plan’. The plan will set out in detail what government, business and society will need to do to achieve net zero emissions in all modes of transport.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “From driving our cars, to catching a train or taking a flight abroad, it is crucial that we ensure transport is as environmentally friendly as possible.
“We want to work with industry and communities around the country to develop this plan – to make our towns and cities better places to live, help to create new jobs, improve air quality and our health, and take urgent action on climate change.”