Summary of recent UK government activity

The UK government has recently published a series of low carbon strategy documents in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan¹ sets out how the UK should reduce its emissions by 34% on 1990 levels by 2020.

Specifically, the plan sets out the government´s intention to generate 40% of the UK´s electricity from low carbon sources – with around 30% coming from renewables – and to facilitate the construction of the next generation of nuclear power stations.

The Renewable Energy Strategy
The Renewable Energy Strategy² sets out how the government intends to meet the requirement under the Renewable Energy Directive to source 15% of the UK´s energy (electricity, heat and transport) from renewable sources by 2020.

Low carbon Transport - A Greener Future
The Low Carbon Transport³ document outlines how to reduce emissions from domestic transport by 14% over the next decade using a range of possible options, including technology, alternative fuels, trading and behavioural changes.

In addition to the above documents, by spring 2010 the government intends to work with industry and others to publish a strategic roadmap, looking at how to continue progress up to 2050.

The Low Carbon Industrial Strategy
The Low Carbon Industrial Strategy⁴ outlines how the government plans to support the development of the UK´s low carbon technologies and services sector by targeting key industries and regions where the UK enjoys competitive or commercial advantage, including offshore wind, marine power and carbon capture and storage.

Low Carbon Review of the Construction Industry
The review, announced on 18 September 2009, will assess the strengths of and opportunities for the UK construction industry in a low carbon economy and consider how the UK can be a world leader in the sector.

1 Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009) The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan: National Strategy for Climate Change. TSO, London
2 Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009) The UK Renewable Energy Strategy. TSO, London
3 Department for Transport (2009) Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future – A Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport. TSO, London
4 Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009) The Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. TSO, London