UK Government Unveils Decarbonisation Plans Ahead of COP26

As the UK prepares to host the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, the Government has outlined its comprehensive plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy sets ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions in the manufacturing and construction sectors, while the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants for public sector bodies to install low-carbon heating systems and energy efficiency measures. The move comes as the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy launches a public consultation on introducing a national policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of large commercial and industrial buildings. Meanwhile, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on a new Waste Prevention Programme for England, aiming to increase recycling levels to 65% by 2023.

Key Takeaways:

• The UK Government has set a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is working towards a competitive, low-carbon future for the manufacturing and construction sectors.
• The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will provide grants for public sector bodies in England to reduce carbon emissions in hospitals, schools, and council buildings.
• The consultation on a national policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of large commercial and industrial buildings aims to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment, which accounts for 45% of total UK carbon emissions.
• The Waste Prevention Programme for England aims to increase recycling levels to 65% by 2023, with proposals covering Extended Producer Responsibility Tax on non-recyclable packaging, material separation, and guidance and reporting.
• The Government welcomes contributions from the facilities management sector in achieving decarbonisation goals.
• The forthcoming Environment Bill will incorporate new powers to manage resources and waste, including measures for specific sectors such as construction.

Statistics:

• 45% of total UK carbon emissions are attributed to the built environment [(1)].
• The UK Government aims to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 [(2)].
• The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will provide funding for low-carbon heating systems and energy efficiency measures in public sector buildings.
• 65% recycling rate is targeted for England by 2023 (Defra consultation).
• 2023 is the scheduled date for new legislation on Extended Producer Responsibility Tax on non-recyclable packaging (Defra consultation).

Sources:

• (1) Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy press release, "Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy".
• (2) UK Government website, "Net Zero: The UK's contribution to stopping global warming".
• Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy press release, "Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme".
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs press release, "Waste Prevention Programme for England".
• IWFM's award-winning magazine Facilitate, "Overview of decarbonisation plans".