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Today’s blog is written by Melanie Coath, Principal Policy Officer – Climate Change, who reflects on the Climate Change Committee’s report on the UK’s progress in reducing emissions and its implications for nature
When the UK’s independent climate advisers give the UK Government 4 out of 10 for progress on climate action, you have to question the Government’s commitment to really delivering our net zero targets. Governments across the UK urgently needs to move from setting policy to implementing climate action on the ground.
Here I reflect on what the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) latest progress report means for nature and the climate and while the CCC’s report is aimed at the UK Government, this should also be a wake up call for all four UK administrations.
Last night, I attended the launch event of the CCC’s annual Progress Report on Reducing Emissions. Speakers as diverse as Labour’s Ed Miliband (a major and early proponent of the concept of net zero) and the Conservative’s Theresa May (who as Prime Minister enshrined net zero in law) all agreed on one thing: implementing net zero policies is critical but hard! It may be a challenge, but the CCC was unequivocal in its report yesterday: the Government is failing to adequately tackle the climate crisis and it needs to take urgent action immediately.
The report did acknowledge that there have been some recent and notable successes over the past year – the UK government showed international leadership at COP26 and the take up of electric cars has exceeded both government and the CCC’s projections. However, there are some notable areas of failure and some serious questions to be asked:
The woeful lack of progress in tackling emissions from land and farming is one of the key headlines of the CCC’s report. Unlike almost every other sector we currently have precisely no plan to deal with this. RSPB and our partner NGOs have called for a new strategy to provide direction and vision for the land sector, incentivise habitat restoration and provide robust incentives to support farmers in taking steps to reduce emissions, store carbon and enhance nature.
So what’s on UK Government’s new homework list?
Habitat restoration: The CCC highlights that we need faster restoration of habitats including our precious peatlands, currently degraded and a large source of emissions. Ancient woodlands, especially ‘Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites’, also need better protection and habitat restoration. The CCC recognises that all existing woodlands need to be sustainably managed, we believe this should be though UK Woodland Assurance Standard accreditation. The CCC also notes that we are behind on woodland creation efforts. To ensure this is delivered in the right way, the RSPB is advocating for a strategic approach so that future tree cover expansion needs to work for nature and communities as well as the climate. Native woodlands have an important role and within the established forestry industry, we need a greater emphasis on native woodland for the benefit of both nature and climate.
Blue Carbon: We talk about a strategy being needed for the land sector, let’s not forget the critical role of coastal and marine ecosystems across the UK; the carbon stored here is often known as “blue carbon”. We welcome recognition of its role by the CCC and urge the Government to act swiftly on the recommendation to include saltmarsh and seagrass in the GHG inventory and for all four nations to introduce measures to restore and protect key blue carbon habitatsecosystems and stores.
Nature Positive renewable energy: The CCC note that the costs of onshore wind and solar and have fallen considerably and there is scope for greater roll out of these with the former needing a clearly established role in our energy transition. The CCC acknowledges that the roll out of offshore wind, has been strong but more must be done to enable associated grid networks and supply chains. At the RSPB we are clear that that rightly ambitious plans for offshore wind expansion must go hand in hand with nature protection and restoration. We must accelerate a renewable energy transition by working with nature rather than against it. The Energy Security Strategy presents an opportunity to tackle deployment and nature protection strategically that must not be squandered. By harnessing the ambition of Nature Positive, we can power healthy seas and a secure energy future. We must transform marine planning and take bold steps to restore the health of our seas – our blue carbon ally.
Energy efficiency: no regrets options that would help to reduce demand now while also creating jobs and tackling the cost-of-living crisis. Consistent support and political drive is needed to mobilise energy efficiency at scale and as standard for new builds.
Diet and consumption: while the CCC notes that meat consumption is reducing at an encouraging rate, it highlights that there are no policies in place to capitalise on this momentum. We need to see measures to encourage people to eat healthier diets with less meat and dairy. This could include policy, educational and campaigns interventions to the encourage this shift, including aligning meat, fish and dairy intake with recommended levels in existing Government health guidelines and increasing the consumption of local, seasonal produce.
Adaptation and net zero: although the CCC’s Progress Report focused on reducing emissions, nature is one of eight top priorities requiring urgent action, identified by the CCC in their 2021 report on climate impacts. However, the CCC reports that most of 2021 recommendations to adapt for the 2-degree world are not yet implemented. This puts Net Zero actions at risk, for example, carbon storage by peatlands and woodlands needs to be secure against drought, floods, wildfire, pests and diseases which threaten trees in a changing climate.
The climate and nature emergency cannot be tackled in isolation. We are calling on the CCC and the Government’s nature advisers to do a thorough assessment of how we can tackle the two together. It is clear the UK and devolved governments need to do much more – not just in the land sector but in ensuring the acceleration of Nature Positive renewables alongside big reductions in the amount of energy we’re using. Far more urgent action that recognises the power of joint solutions to the crises is needed.
Further Reading
CCC Progress Report to Parliament