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This is a thread from me commenting on each point in PM @BorisJohnson's 10 point plan on #climatechange
I'll start by saying; of course it's welcome PM is publishing a plan even if I have disagreements with some points
And good that framing is pro-jobs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54981425
I'll start by saying; of course it's welcome PM is publishing a plan even if I have disagreements with some points
And good that framing is pro-jobs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54981425
1. Offshore wind: Produce enough to power every home
GOOD and much easier if we get serious on energy efficiency
BUT devastating for marine ecosystems(which are critical for tackling climate change) without coordinated plans & action to mitigate impacts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/14/big-uk-offshore-windfarms-push-risks-harming-habitats-say-campaigners
GOOD and much easier if we get serious on energy efficiency
BUT devastating for marine ecosystems(which are critical for tackling climate change) without coordinated plans & action to mitigate impacts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/14/big-uk-offshore-windfarms-push-risks-harming-habitats-say-campaigners
2. Hydrogen: 5GW of "low carbon" hydrogen production capacity by 2030
It's needed, but only good if it is produced in zero or v. low carbon way
There is danger the promise of hydrogen gets used to maintain old fossil fuel infrastructure, but hydrogen doesn't then materialise
It's needed, but only good if it is produced in zero or v. low carbon way
There is danger the promise of hydrogen gets used to maintain old fossil fuel infrastructure, but hydrogen doesn't then materialise
3. Nuclear: Personally, I think arguments against new nukes now stronger than ever
Construction will result in INCREASED carbon emissions before 2040; we need to be cutting now
Renewables&energy efficiency are faster&cheaper
SizewellC v bad for nature https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/2020/11/18/sizewell-c-would-catastrophic-nature-charities-warn/
Construction will result in INCREASED carbon emissions before 2040; we need to be cutting now
Renewables&energy efficiency are faster&cheaper
SizewellC v bad for nature https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/2020/11/18/sizewell-c-would-catastrophic-nature-charities-warn/
4. Electric vehicles: Phasing out sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030
Unequivocally good news, and genuine #ClimateLeadership by UK
But we're going to need a HUGE increase in vehicle charging points, especially in residential areas...
Unequivocally good news, and genuine #ClimateLeadership by UK
But we're going to need a HUGE increase in vehicle charging points, especially in residential areas...
5. Invest in Public transport, cycling and walking:
YES - of course. Why have we waited so long?!
Govt should cancel the £27bn they are planning to spend on building new roads, and spend it here instead
And how about making buses free? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/07/free-buses-greener-luxembourg-radical-climate-change
YES - of course. Why have we waited so long?!
Govt should cancel the £27bn they are planning to spend on building new roads, and spend it here instead
And how about making buses free? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/07/free-buses-greener-luxembourg-radical-climate-change
6. Supporting research for zero-emission planes &ships
Yes, but must not be used as 'cover' for building new airports. Zero emission flights long way off
A clear timetable & policy framework will stimulate innovation and get us there quicker, like... https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180814-norways-plan-for-a-fleet-of-electric-planes
Yes, but must not be used as 'cover' for building new airports. Zero emission flights long way off
A clear timetable & policy framework will stimulate innovation and get us there quicker, like... https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180814-norways-plan-for-a-fleet-of-electric-planes
7. Making homes, schools & hospitals greener, warmer & more energy efficient
YES - of course, but we're seen so much chopping and changing on energy efficiency over last decade, and never level of ambition needed
The scale of what is needed is huge: https://www.carbonbrief.org/uk-homes-need-deep-efficiency-retrofit-meet-climate-goals
YES - of course, but we're seen so much chopping and changing on energy efficiency over last decade, and never level of ambition needed
The scale of what is needed is huge: https://www.carbonbrief.org/uk-homes-need-deep-efficiency-retrofit-meet-climate-goals
8. Carbon capture:
It has a role to play in industrial processes
But I remain sceptical that it could be used in power sector to carry on with business as usual, rather than drive deeper change
£1bn Govt subsidy for CCS was on table for over decade, but it was never taken up
It has a role to play in industrial processes
But I remain sceptical that it could be used in power sector to carry on with business as usual, rather than drive deeper change
£1bn Govt subsidy for CCS was on table for over decade, but it was never taken up
9. Nature: Protecting & restoring nature including planting 30k ha's of trees p.a.
V disappointing this just seems to be 'planting trees'. It should also be about natural regeneration, restoring our peatbogs, our soil carbon, saltmarshes, sea-grasses https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/kick-start-natures-recovery-and-absorb-third-uk-emissions
V disappointing this just seems to be 'planting trees'. It should also be about natural regeneration, restoring our peatbogs, our soil carbon, saltmarshes, sea-grasses https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/kick-start-natures-recovery-and-absorb-third-uk-emissions
10. Innovation & finance: Developing cutting-edge tech and making City of London global centre of green finance
Yes, of course, but to be taken seriously, WE NEED TO STOP investments in fossil fuels, and stop funding destructive projects abroad - including with taxpayers money
Yes, of course, but to be taken seriously, WE NEED TO STOP investments in fossil fuels, and stop funding destructive projects abroad - including with taxpayers money
11. Finally, while there is much to welcome in this plan, the UK will have little credibility when it hosts the UN Climate Conference next year if it is still:
- allowing peat burning
- building roads and railways through wildlife sites
- spending £bn's propping up fossil fuels
- allowing peat burning
- building roads and railways through wildlife sites
- spending £bn's propping up fossil fuels
