UK Climate Change Committee: Electric vehicles, heat pumps, and reducing meat consumption are key to net zero

The independent body "Climate Change Committee" that provides advice to the UK government stated today that the UK must stop relying on fossil fuels, switch to electric vehicles and heat pumps, and reduce meat consumption in order to achieve the net-zero emissions target by 2050.

According to Reuters, the recommendations in the 7th carbon budget (2038 to 2042) from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) reveal the challenges the UK faces in achieving its goals.

At the same time, the UK Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) announced this week that it will raise energy prices for the third consecutive quarter, putting pressure on the government to reduce energy costs.

The UK Climate Change Committee pointed out that the UK must reduce carbon emissions by 87% compared to 1990 levels by the end of 2040 to achieve net-zero and meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement.

As of the end of 2023, the UK's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by nearly 53% compared to 1990 levels, mainly due to the increase in renewable energy generation and the gradual closure of coal-fired power plants, which has reduced carbon emissions in the energy sector.

Piers Forster, acting chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, stated in a statement: "Now, we need to take action in the transport, buildings, industry, and agriculture sectors. This will promote economic growth, mitigate climate change, and reduce household energy expenses."

The report on how to achieve these targets suggests that by the end of 2040, 80% of cars on the road should be pure electric vehicles, meaning that nearly all new car sales must be electric vehicles starting in 2030.

Additionally, more than half of homes should replace existing heating systems with heat pumps by the end of 2040, while the current proportion is only 1%.

The report indicates that if heating and transport systems fully switch to green electricity, electricity demand will reach twice the current level, and renewable energy generation will need to increase significantly.

The UK government has identified decarbonizing the energy sector as a core objective, stating that this will ultimately lower electricity prices and reduce dependence on energy imports.

The UK Climate Change Committee estimates that this transformation will save households money around 2040, with electricity costs expected to decrease by about £700 (approximately NT$29,052) by the end of 2050 compared to current levels.

The report recommends removing policy costs from electricity bills, simplifying the installation process for charging stations and other equipment, and providing subsidies for installing heat pumps to lower electricity costs.

According to the report, meat consumption is expected to decrease by 25% compared to 2019 levels by the end of 2040, and by 35% by the end of 2050.

From 2020 to 2022, meat consumption in the UK has already decreased by 10%. The UK Climate Change Committee stated that this trend is expected to continue, with the anticipation of cheaper and tastier meat alternatives emerging in the future.

This report did not explore the impact of expansions at Heathrow Airport or other airports but stated that carbon emissions from the aviation industry should decrease by 17% by the end of 2040 compared to 2023 levels This assessment is based on the industry's promotion of sustainable fuels, improving efficiency, managing demand growth, and offsetting carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon removal credits.

According to the Climate Change Act, the UK government must develop specific plans to achieve statutory climate targets and set a 5-year carbon budget 12 years in advance