The United Kingdom’s top climate change advisory body, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), has issued a stark warning to Keir Starmer’s new Labour government, urging it to act “fast” to put Britain on target to meet its 2030 climate targets. 

It pointed out that the UK has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 68 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030, which is “only six years away,” and that “the country is not on track to hit this target”.

The CCC, as per AFP, said that only a “third of the emissions reductions required to achieve the 2030 target are currently covered by credible plans”.

It said that while notable progress has been made in reducing emissions from energy production, particularly because of the closure of coal-fired power plants, other sectors such as transport and construction require attention.

“Action is needed across all sectors of the economy,” the watchdog said in its annual report, as it outlined 10 recommendations, including the widespread adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles. 

The CCC report stressed that low-carbon technologies “must become the norm.”

It also emphasised the need for the UK to give up its reliance on oil and gas. CCC said there was a “significant” decrease in CO2 emissions last year and noted that there was “some good progress on policy” under the previous Rishi Sunak-Conservative administration. 

However, it also criticised the “inconsistent messages” on the previous government’s “commitment to the actions needed to reach Net Zero”.

James Richardson, the CCC’s interim director general, told reporters that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government must “send clear signals to households and firms on the direction of travel in these sectors”.

He acknowledged the “positive action” taken by the new administration, such as unblocking onshore wind power and setting ambitious solar power goals were “really encouraging.” Still, he stressed, “we do need to see this action (spread) wider than just the energy supply sector.”

(With inputs from agencies)