Decarbonisation is essential for limiting global warming globally. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C—as called for in the Paris Agreement—emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
The UK’s Net Zero Strategy was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government. It states that the UK will hit net carbon zero by 2050, and to do this outlines a number of policies and proposals for decarbonising all industries across the UK.
At COP28 held in the UAE last year, nations finalised the inaugural global assessment of climate policies under the 2015 Paris Agreement, a process referred to as the global stocktake (GST). This milestone agreement included commitments to significantly expand renewable energy capacity, aiming to triple it by 2030.
Countries also pledged to equitably shift away from fossil fuels in energy systems, aligning with the 2015 Paris Agreement’s objectives.
And while we may not have seen any significant progress for battling climate change in the recent COP29, the commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity remains. The UK and German governments also issued a joint declaration of cooperation on energy and climate, focusing on hydrogen, carbon capture, and renewable energy in the North Sea.
Governments, businesses, and individuals all play a role in advancing decarbonisation efforts through policy, innovation, and sustainable practices.
