Matthew Pennycook – 2020 Comments on Net Zero Emissions

The comments made by Matthew Pennycook, the Shadow Climate Change Minister, on 7 September 2020. The comments were made with reference to an Institute for Government report on the Government’s approach to achieving net zero emissions.

This report lays bare the Government’s failure to put the country on a path to net zero emissions.

If Ministers were determined to end the UK’s contribution to global heating by mid-century they would have a clear roadmap to achieve that goal, it would be pursued relentlessly from the centre, the institutional architecture would be put in place to coordinate and drive progress across all departments, and emissions reduction would be woven throughout government policy.

Until this Government gives emissions reduction the status it requires and acts accordingly, the UK is destined to remain off track for the net zero target, legislated for just over a year ago.