Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

UK under fire for slow implementation of climate commitments

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 27 Jun 2023 10:26
3 Min Read

The UK government's advisory committee on combating climate change slams ministers for being overly reliant on technologies instead of urging people to cut back on high-carbon activities.

  • x
  • A blaze in the village of Wennington, east London, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (AP)
    A blaze in the village of Wennington, east London, Tuesday, July 19, 2022 (AP)

The UK government's advisory committee on combating climate change expressed alarm about the slow rate of the switch to renewable energy, warning that the country was running out of time to meet its objectives.

The independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) said it was "markedly less" confident than a year ago that the country could meet its goals to cut carbon use by 2030.

Growing sales of new electric cars and new renewable energy projects provided "glimmers" of hope, it said but added that "the scale-up of action overall is worryingly slow."

Instead of urging people to cut back on high-carbon activities, the CCC said ministers were overly reliant on technologies that have not been widely adopted.

CCC Chairman John Gummer said "early action" was cheaper in the fullness of time and permitted looming environmental challenges to be met more easily.

"Yet, even in these times of extraordinary fossil fuel prices, Government has been too slow to embrace cleaner, cheaper alternatives and too keen to support new production of coal, oil, and gas," he added. 

Gummer spoke of a "worrying hesitancy by ministers to lead the country to the next stage" needed to arrive at the country's net zero commitments and urged them to commit to bolder delivery. 

"This is a period when pace must be prioritized over perfection," he said.

'No clear policy'

Related News

Majority of Scots support halting all arms exports to 'Israel': Poll

Elon Musk shares fake news on England rioters to be sent to Falklands

The UK made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels at the UN climate change summit in Glasgow in 2021.

But emissions have so far only fallen 46%, the CCC pointed out.

"In only seven years, the recent rate of annual emissions reduction outside the electricity supply sector must therefore quadruple," it added.

"Time is now very short to achieve this change of pace." 

The CCC said the UK has issued "confusing signals" on its climate objectives, compromising its COP26 pledges. Since last July, the UK has had three prime ministers, including the brief-lived Liz Truss, who overturned a moratorium on fracking.

Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a new coal mine in northwest England has received clearance, and the government has indicated support for more North Sea oil and gas exploration.

The panel said the government has "no clear policy" to deliver its aims of decarbonized steel production, and upgrading the electricity grid to include renewable infrastructure, most notably onshore wind, is caught up in planning restrictions.

Additionally, the CCC advocated for more tree-planting, the use of domestic heat pumps, and a moratorium on airport expansion.

The UK has vowed to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and wants to cut its reliance on imported fossil fuels to stop its exposure to volatile price fluctuations.

After last year's record-breaking heat and frequent flooding, the CCC slammed the UK government's "lack of urgency" in adjusting to higher temperatures at the end of March this year.

Read next: UK ‘strikingly unprepared’ for effects of climate crisis: CCC

  • UK Government
  • Climate change
  • climate commitments
  • UK

Most Read

An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli soldiers drive on their armored personnel carrier back from inside the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Full occupation of Gaza on the table despite military's opposition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the audience at a conference in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Sunday, July 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu blamed for sabotaging Gaza captives deal, say their families

A mine operated by Serra Verde Mining in Minacu, Goias state, Brazil, Monday, July 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

China’s mineral export ban disrupts US defense supply chain

ap
Politics

Aid allowed by 'Israel' covers only 14% of Gaza's needs: Media Office

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS