The Path to Net Zero and Progress on Reducing Emissions in Wales

The Climate Change Committee

The Path to Net Zero and Progress on Reducing Emissions in Wales

GBP

By The Climate Change Committee
Source: Climate Change Committee
Publication date: 17 December 2020
Publication type: Policy paper
Language: English
Status: Active Publication

Abstract

These two joint reports, required under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, provide ministers with advice on Wales’ climate targets between now and 2050, and assess progress on reducing emissions to date. Our advice to the Welsh Government is set out in two parts:
Advice Report: The path to a Net Zero Wales provides recommendations on the actions that are needed in Wales, including the legislation of a Net Zero target and package of policies to deliver it.
Progress Report: Reducing emissions in Wales looks back at the progress made in Wales since the 2016 Environment (Wales) Act was passed, and assesses whether Wales is on track to meet its currently legislated emissions reductions targets.
This work is based on an extensive programme of analysis, consultation and consideration by the Committee and its staff, building on the evidence published last year for our Net Zero report. It is compatible with our advice on the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget. In support of the advice in this report, we have also published:

All the charts and data behind the report, as well as a separate dataset for the scenarios, which sets out more details and data on the pathways than can be included in this report.
A public Call for Evidence, several new research projects, three expert advisory groups and deep dives into the roles of local authorities and businesses.

© Climate Change Committee Copyright 2020. The text of this document (this excludes, where present, the Royal Arms and all departmental or agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided that it is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Committee on Climate Change copyright and the document title specified.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gas Reduction ; Agriculture, Land Use and Forestry ; Aviation ; Carbon Targets ; Climate Action ; Climate Science ; Emissions and Underlying Trends ; Energy Policy ; Future Gas Policy & the Hydrogen Economy ; Heat and Energy Efficiency in Buildings ; Hydrogen for Domestic Applications ; Hydrogen for Industrial/ Commercial Uses ; Manufacturing, Construction and Fuel Supply ; Net Zero ; Residential and Non-residential Buildings ; Shipping/ Maritime ; Transport ; Wales ; Waste

Related subjects: Applications & Pathways ; Policy & Socio-Economics

Countries: United Kingdom

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2020-12-17

2024-12-23

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Supplements

Key Messages

In 2019, the Committee advised the Welsh Government to set a target to reduce emissions by 95% in 2050. The Welsh Government accepted that advice, and declared its intention to bring forward a target for Wales to achieve Net Zero emissions no later than 2050.

The Welsh Government is now in a position to realise that goal. The Committee’s updated evidence and analysis now supports a recommendation for Wales to set and pursue an ambitious target to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050, backed up by a stretching set of targets on the pathway to that goal.

This represents Wales’ fair and credible contribution to the UK Net Zero goal, and is consistent with our recommendations on the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget and the UK’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) for 2030 to the UN process.