In June 2019, government passed legislation committing it to achieving ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means reducing emissions substantially from current levels, with the greenhouse gases the UK still emits in 2050 being equal to or less than what is removed from the atmosphere by either the natural environment or carbon capture technologies.
Aiming for NetZero represents an increase in the level of ambition from government’s previous emissions reduction target and achieving it is a colossal challenge and significantly more challenging than government’s previous target to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050. Reaching NetZero means all parts of the economy, including those that are harder to decarbonise, need to reduce emissions substantially. In some sectors, there are well-understood pathways to NetZero but there is uncertainty in other sectors over how to reduce emissions. This is because it is not yet known how quickly some technologies will develop or how much individuals will be willing to change their behaviours. Certain areas have been identified as key to having a significant impact, across the public sector estate, such as building and energy, transport and waste and recycling.
Join CEF Technical Director Stephen Lowndes and other key experts in Public Sector Sustainability at the NetZero Government online event held on 17th JUNE 2021. Click here for the video
If you wish to just watch and listen to Stephen Lowndes, click the link and forward the video to 1:15:47.
