Latest content of theme Carbon Policy

There is no point in creating policies like an Emissions Trading System or Carbon Performance Standards if the measurements they rely on bear little relation to empirical reality, writes Dr Danial Sturge.

The forward-looking state of Minas Gerais is looking to support innovation and growth of low emission technologies, not only to support its own goals for Net Zero but to lead technical and economic development that can be exported to other regions of Brazil. 

The UK left the world’s largest carbon market – the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – at the end of 2020. But with the UK holding its first auction of allowances recently, should we starting to think about linking the smaller UK market to its larger and older European cousin?

Net Zero now means that UK industrial emitters have the same imperative to decarbonise as everyone else. If UK industry is to lead the green industrial revolution, Government will not only have to incentivise deep decarbonisation of industry, but also ensure that UK industrial competitiveness is not unduly impacted.

The UK ETS currently encompasses electricity generation, but omits natural gas (and other fuels used for heating). If the scope of the UK ETS were expanded to cover buildings, specifically heating, we potentially introduce 27 million – mostly unwilling and uninterested – participants.

The Environmental Audit Committee launched an inquiry into the sustainability of the built environment. It will look at the best routes to net zero for our future building needs from low carbon materials through to policies to minimise the whole life carbon impact of new buildings.

Achieving zero carbon electricity by 2035 (as recommend by the Climate Change Committee) will be key to decarbonising many other sectors, including road transport, buildings (i.e. heating), and industry. The UK Emissions Trading System combined with electricity decarbonisation policy mandates could be vital.

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee was one of six select committees of the House of Commons (joining Environmental Audit; Housing, Communities and Local Government; Science and Technology; Transport; and Treasury) to support Climate Assembly UK, a citizens’ assembly on combatting climate change and achieving the pathway to net zero carbon emissions.

The UK wants to be a global leader in the fight against climate change, and it can take a massive step forward this year by increasing the ambition of the new UK Emissions Trading System.

The Energy White Paper launched in December was designed to present a vision for how government intends to make the transition to a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This insight article focuses specifically on the impact for Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES).

Energy Systems Catapult is calling for the creation of an economy-wide ‘Carbon Regulator’ to oversee monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions reduction and removal across the economy.

This report makes the case for a new ‘Carbon Regulator’ to oversee accurate and coherent monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions reduction and removal across the economy.