In 2019, the UK Government set itself a monumental challenge – achieving a target of net zero emissions by 2050. It is currently nowhere near to meeting this target. This does not, however, mean it cannot be done.
To be successful, very substantial changes need to be implemented. Co-director of our Economic Modelling programme and Climate Econometrics, Prof Sir David Hendry, and our Senior Research Fellow Dr Jennifer Castle have provided written evidence to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee with suggestions on how to fulfil this ambitious goal.
They propose a range of recommendations on issues such as fossil fuel alternatives, construction, and agriculture, to name a few.
"Let’s not waste the recovery from the pandemic by ignoring the chance to tackle burgeoning climate issues." Prof Hendry & Dr Castle
While some of these proposals are in their infancy, they provide a roadmap as to what could be achieved were the UK to be bold in their approach to tackling this problem. As the authors state, “let’s not waste the recovery from the pandemic by ignoring the chance to tackle burgeoning climate issues”.
