The Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) 2023 Progress Report to the UK’s Parliament is out. This pivotal document tracks the UK Government’s progress to date in reducing emissions. It makes no bones on both the good and the bad. What does it have to say, and what might it mean for emissions and for UK businesses?
The headlines
Introducing the paper, Lord Deben, CCC Chairman, announced that UK temperatures in the last year exceeded 40 degrees centigrade for the first time.
Whilst temperatures do of course vary year on year, there’s no denying the seriousness nor the urgency of this reality. It’s a truth which isn’t eased by the CCC’s key messages for action for 2023.
These include a worrying lack of urgency. While the UK policy framework has continued to develop over the past year, this is not happening at the required pace for future targets.
Further, says the CCC, the Government’s current strategy has considerable delivery risks due to its over-reliance on specific technological solutions, some of which have not yet been deployed at scale.
And there are another two massive issues; first, planning policy needs radical reform to support Net Zero. The planning system must have an overarching requirement that all planning decisions must be taken giving full regard to the imperative of Net Zero.
Second; expansion of fossil fuel production is not in line with Net Zero. As well as pushing forward strongly with new low-carbon industries, Net Zero also makes it necessary to move away from high-carbon developments.
The CCC also argues public engagement on climate action remains limited and overdue.
In summary, then, the verdict from many commentators and climate change analysts is that the Government’s progress against the CCC’s reporting is simple: we need more action, better aligned, and faster.
“We need more action, better aligned, and faster”
Indeed, projections for the UK to meet its 2030 goals under the Sixth Carbon Budget and to reduce emissions by 68% as part of the nation’s commitment to the Paris Agreement have, “worsened since last year,” it wrote.
The Priva analysis
So, if the verdict on is a negative one – what can we do that is positive?
“The CCC’s report – which contains over 300 recommendations – illustrates that we have to step up faster on emissions and Net Zero. We think that part of the solution is to embrace intelligent technologies,” comments Gavin Holvey, General Manager/Sales – UK & Ireland at Priva UK.
“Our view is that the whole supply-chain needs to re-imagine the way we design, operate and manage buildings and cities. If we can move towards a more efficient, future-proofed built environment, this will have a positive impact in reducing carbon emissions. It is widely accepted that intelligent building technologies can help us create higher-performance (and future-proofed) buildings.
A more efficient, future-proofed built environment will have a positive impact in reducing carbon emissions
“If we can use real-time data to understand building occupant behaviour – as well as other factors like air quality, and temperature and ventilation – then we can be much more responsive to energy use. In turn, this responsiveness will make a significant contribution to reducing the amount of energy required to operate the built environment.”
The Priva UK & Ireland team welcomes the opportunity for conversations about energy challenges – drop us a line.
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