UK Government hopes to avoid another legal challenge
with refreshed net-zero strategy
Published today (29 October), the new Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan summarises the past, present and forthcoming policies which will drive the decarbonisation of Britain’s economy. It also sets out how these policy signals should catalyse private investment in industries including renewable energy, electric transport and low-carbon manufacturing.
The new covers the period between the start of the 4th Carbon Budget (2023) and the end of the 6th Carbon Budget (2037).
It claims to detail measures that will achieve 96% of the emissions reductions needed by 2030.
The measures should more than halve the carbon intensity of the UK economy, in terms of tonnes of emissions by GDP, while creating new jobs and export opportunities.
The new plan has been produced after the High Court ordered Ministers to improve on the two previous versions of the plan, which were deemed unlawful due to a lack of sector-specific details and an over-reliance on technologies which would not be mature in time.
Ministers have worked with organisations including businesses, trade unions and NGOs to draw up the new plan.
Energy and Net-Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This plan is about delivering better lives for people today – from warmer homes and cleaner air to cheaper transport and increased access to nature – as we tackle the climate and nature crises to protect our home for future generations.
“It would be negligent to leave our children and grandchildren to face energy insecurity and climate breakdown. By providing clarity and certainty on how Britain will seize these opportunities, this plan will help unlock the investment we need in clean energy, jobs and growth at home.
“And it will strengthen our position as a climate leader so we can push others internationally to take the action needed to avoid disaster.”
To Miliband’s latter point, the UN’s next annual climate summit, COP30, begins in Brazil next week.
Sector-specific actions
The Plan document highlights that, while the UK has already halved its domestic emissions since 1990, this progress has been largely driven by the transition away from coal in power generation and building heating. Efforts to decarbonise sectors including manufacturing, transport and agriculture must now be significantly accelerated.
And the job is far from over in power generation itself. 38% of the UK’s power generation was low-carbon in 2023. The Plan states that this will increase to 63% by 2030 and 98% by 2035.
Other key figures in the plan include:
- Zero-emission cars accounting for half of the nation’s car stock by 2035, up from 5% today.
- Low-carbon hydrogen production increasing to 4.1 TWh by 2030, then 24.3 TWh by 2035.
- The offshore oil and gas industry’s emissions being 76% lower in 2035 than in 2018, partly through the electrification of equipment.
- Heavy industry capturing 4.3 million tonnes of CO2e with man-made technologies annually by 2035.
- More than nine million heat pumps being in operation in 2035, up from 0.5 million at present.
- Some 1.6 million homes receiving energy efficiency upgrades per year from 2035, up from 0.5 million homes in 2025.
- Three-quarters of farmers engaging in emissions reduction activities in 2035, up from six in ten at present.
- More than half of short journeys being walked or cycled by 2030.
- Alternative aviation fuels meeting 15% of demand in 2035, up from 2% in 2025.
The edie editorial team is currently poring through the plan to deliver a sector-by-sector summary. Please check back shortly for this article.
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