New UK plan to reach net zero goal faces criticism

The government has unveiled a new net zero plan which has been met with intense criticism from experts and environmental groups.

The document was drawn up after the High Court ruled the government’s existing plans were not sufficient to meet its climate targets.

A central plank of the strategy is to store CO2 under the North Sea.

But scientists say even this plan will not move the UK closer towards meeting its legally-binding carbon commitments.

Ministers say it also aims to lower people’s energy bills, although this will not be achieved in the short term.

The government was forced to publish this “Powering up Britain” strategy after the High Court judged last July that its current plan was not detailed enough to show how the UK would meet its goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Academics and green groups are unconvinced it will make enough difference.

Dr Chris Jones, an expert in climate change at the University of Manchester, said: “This latest government energy strategy is a weak response to the UK’s zero carbon energy needs.

“The regressive measures on fossil fuels won’t make any real impact on our bills and energy security, but they are enough to downgrade the UK’s role as a leader in tackling climate change.”

Friends of the Earth – who were part of the team who brought the legal case against the last plan – said they may have to go back to the High Court.

“With these policies looking dangerously lacklustre and lacking on climate action, we are poised to act if ministers have fallen short once again,” said Mike Childs, head of policy at campaign group Friends of the Earth.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said people should be “really proud of the UK’s track record” on decarbonisation amid criticism of his government’s net zero plan.

Learn more: BBC News