Recommendation 5

The previous Government did not adopt the Pledge’s global 30 per cent reduction target as a domestic target and, unlike many other Pledge participants, the UK has not produced a methane action plan. We acknowledge that the UK made significant progress on methane mitigation prior to signing the Pledge, though the rate of reduction in emissions has slowed in recent years, so achieving a further 30 per cent reduction domestically poses a greater challenge for the UK than it does for other countries. Clarity is needed on cost-effective priority actions, for both domestic emissions and the overall global target. Given constrained public finances, the Government must consider the economic costs of mitigation measures, including the costs that may be incurred to business through increased regulation. However, this consideration must be balanced by a recognition that well-designed regulation can drive sustainable growth, paving the way for long-term success for business. Given the UK’s strong record of emissions cuts, it should prioritise actions that will have the greatest international influence–whether that be through climate diplomacy, or through domestic actions that enhance global momentum on shared challenges. In this latter category, the UK Government should look to other countries who are innovating new policy and regulatory tools, such as the EU and New Zealand. The aim should be to increase pressure on other countries to do the same.