Unreliable Climate Emissions Projections
Inconsistent and unreliable projections for UK aviation emissions reductions, reducing confidence in climate policy planning.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
73match
#38 - Accelerate introduction of policy to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment.
Reducing embodied carbon is vital to decreasing the carbon emissions of the built environment and meeting the UK’s legally binding climate targets. Considering that key milestones for reducing carbon emissions are rapidly approaching, the Government must accelerate the introduction of policy in this area. (Conclusion, Paragraph 140)
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
73match
#62 - Second Report - Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26
We believe that the current level of ICF is fundamentally over-reported, reducing the credibility of declarations and scope for achieving climate adaptation and resilience. We are calling for full transparency in the reporting of climate finance to enhance the ability of third parties to track funding from start to finish. To reach the UK-backed goal of channelling 70%...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
69match
#55 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
Some witnesses questioned the accuracy of methane emissions data from the oil and gas sector. While these data are not currently verified, we heard support for improved verification from both industry and the regulator. Ensuring confidence in the accuracy of the UK’s methane emissions data is important.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
69match
#32 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
As noted in chapter 3, enhanced monitoring and verification of emissions at smaller scales not only improves the quality and accuracy of data for the UK’s National Inventory Report but also makes it possible to reward and encourage good practice in mitigating emissions by individual businesses or individuals. Other countries such as New Zealand have been exploring the...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
69match
#19 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
Nevertheless, the limitations of GWP100 must be taken seriously. As emission reduction measures may become ever more targeted at the level of individual sectors and businesses, precise understanding of their impact will be crucial. We welcomed the previous Government’s openness to considering additional metrics where appropriate, and we encourage the new Government to take a similar approach.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
69match
#17 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The metrics used in measuring greenhouse gases have significant consequences for how their impact is understood, and what mitigation interventions are judged necessary. In line with international standards, the UK uses GWP100 to measure and report its emissions. However, we heard that GWP100 is less well suited to representing the warming impact of shorter-lived greenhouse gases such as...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
69match
#21 - Concerns raised about CCUS effectiveness and unaddressed methane leakage from LNG supply chains
The Department recognised that there are some “contested views” concerning, for example, the effectiveness of CCUS in reducing emissions from gas–fired power stations.69 We received written evidence suggesting that there are higher levels of methane (a gas with significant greenhouse effects) leakage throughout the supply chain for liquified natural gas (LNG) than previously thought. Given that the UK’s...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
66match
#45 - Revised NPPF lacks explicit reference to embodied carbon, limiting emission reduction.
The revised NPPF does not contain explicit reference to embodied carbon, despite a widely held opinion that the NPPF must play a central role in supporting low-carbon housing. This oversight limits the NPPF’s ability to minimise carbon emissions from new buildings and undermines efforts to meet the UK’s emission reduction targets. (Conclusion, Paragraph 152)
Matched on
terms: emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#56 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The Government should consider the costs and benefits of bringing UK measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) in line with EU standards as a matter of urgency. Whilst progress on UK MMRV is ongoing, Government should aim to clarify where discrepancies arise in reports of UK methane emissions, and should take steps to resolve these discrepancies.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#48 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
We have concerns about waste crime. Some witnesses suggested that the illegal disposal of waste outside of regulated facilities may mean methane emissions from the sector are significantly higher than official figures. We were not convinced that the Government or Environment Agency have sufficient grip of this issue.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#47 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The Government should provide an update on this work, including target dates for when the projects are expected to achieve their aims to develop direct measurement of landfill emissions at site level.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#46 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
We heard that Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working to improve estimation of methane emissions from landfill, which would facilitate targeted action on methane at different areas of landfill sites, and an improved understanding of the issue of methane emissions from different waste management activities.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#33 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The Government should build on its work to improve the accuracy and reliability of agricultural emissions calculators for use on individual farms, in line with our recommendations regarding metrics in chapter 3.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#20 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
As scientific debate in this area evolves, the Government should monitor it closely and consider how additional metrics can be robustly employed at the sectoral and the business level to improve understanding of the UK’s emissions. As a first step, the Government should move towards unilaterally implementing an auxiliary metric to better reflect the warming impact of methane....
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#13 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The Government should continue to fund and promote pioneering academic work in emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification in the UK.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#23 - BECCS considered essential for UK decarbonisation, despite reduced projected role by 2050.
Combining power generation using sustainably sourced biomass with carbon capture and storage (CCUS) has the potential to generate ‘negative emissions’–i.e. it could reduce the overall amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.65 Both the government and the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which advises the government on how best to achieve its decarbonisation goals, believe that BECCS will be essential...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
65match
#63 - Second Report - Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26
The volume of greenhouse gas emissions has a significant impact on the capacity of LDCs and SIDS to adapt to climate change. On 9 August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Sixth Assessment report, which the UN Secretary General referred to as a “a code red for humanity” with the alarm bells “deafening” and...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
62match
#22 - New Drax agreement offers limited impact on emissions and lacks BECCS investment incentives.
There are other factors which cast doubt on whether the government has reached a good deal. The new support agreement with Drax reduces the level of allowed supply chain emissions for the fuel it burns, from 55.6 grams of CO2 per megajoule to 36.6 grams.60 While DESNZ said that this is in line with international best practice, historically...
Matched on
terms: emission
Committee recommendation
60match
#66 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
Regulators must have a greater and clearer focus on mitigating methane, particularly with regards to monitoring and verification of emissions. The then Government’s conviction that regulation was clear and working well was not shared by a significant proportion of our witnesses.
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
60match
#12 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The UK pioneered top-down greenhouse gas modelling, and its bottom-up inventory is world-leading. However, further improvement in monitoring and verification regulation at the level of individual sectors could bring significant benefits, notably a) further increasing levels of confidence in the UK’s emissions statistics, b) refining the monitoring the impact of sector-level mitigation measures, and c) being able to...
Matched on
terms: climate, emission
Committee recommendation
57match
#22 - No BECCS projects in Track 1 despite importance for unachievable 2030 greenhouse gas removal targets
The original 2030 targets for the CCUS programme, which the government has now told us are unachievable, included a goal for the UK to achieve 5 mtpa of engineered greenhouse gas removals. The bulk of this was expected to be achieved by applying CCUS technology to a biomass energy plant (a process known as BECCS).72 There are no...
Matched on
terms: emission
Committee recommendation
53match
#18 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
Several of our witnesses advocated the use of GWP* as an additional metric to GWP100 and moving towards a system of reporting using both metrics. GWP* aims to better represent the warming impact of greenhouse gases, accounting for their persistence in the atmosphere. However, we also heard concern from others about the weaknesses of GWP*, particularly when used...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#16 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The Government should look to international comparisons, and consider developing similar enhanced measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) regulations. In so doing, it must take detailed account of any costs and benefits. A comprehensive MMRV framework that meets these standards may be required to avoid extra costs and/or process in exporting oil and gas to the EU as...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#15 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The UK has fallen behind the US and EU in the development of enhanced methane monitoring and verification regulation at the level of individual emitting sectors and sites. Though UK academics have led innovation in new monitoring techniques, we heard that a lack of clear regulation is an obstacle to utilising these at scale. Beyond encouraging good practice,...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#14 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The advent of new satellite technologies offers opportunities for continuous global monitoring. However, they are best suited to discovering large leaks. A range of other approaches, including the tall tower network and drones, will remain necessary as different technologies can respond to different challenges.
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#4 - Map critical path for BECCS deployment and develop contingency plans for decarbonisation goals.
The deployment of BECCS has been repeatedly delayed, even though it remains a key part of the government’s plans to decarbonise the UK. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) and DESNZ both see BECCS as essential to the UK achieving its decarbonisation goals from Carbon Budget 6 (2033–37) onwards. Government initially planned for the first BECCS plant in the...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#50 - Retrofitting existing buildings offers more sustainable and environmentally friendly housing solutions.
Retrofitting existing buildings is more environmentally friendly and sustainable than demolition and new construction. We accept that not all existing properties can be converted into residential buildings, and do not deny that some new homes do need to be built. However, prioritising the retrofit and regeneration of existing buildings could contribute substantial numbers towards the Government’s 1.5 million...
Matched on
terms: emission
Committee recommendation
53match
#60 - Second Report - Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26
Although the UK was rated among the better performers in this report, CARE stated that, like other countries, the data provided by the UK lacked clarity and completeness in terms of the recipients and programmes to be funded.132
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#56 - Second Report - Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26
Contributors raised significant concerns around the accuracy of the amount of global international climate finance that is being reported as pledged and disbursed for adaptation by the UK and other donor countries.123 In its report published in January 2021, CARE International wrote that “current official figures for adaptation finance are severely overstated and far too high” with US$2.6...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
53match
#55 - Second Report - Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26
In its biennial progress report (December 2020), the Government stated that: Our funding will be new and in addition to our previous £5.8 billion ICF commitment.118 Many contributors criticised this statement for its interpretation of ‘new and additional’.119 The NGOs that wrote to us would prefer climate finance to be in the form of new and additional financial...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
48match
#18 - 1st Report - Long-duration energy storage: get on with it
If unabated natural gas is to play a role, the Government must explain how this is compatible with climate change targets, in particular the Sixth Carbon budget and a decarbonised electricity system by 2035. If it will not pursue a strategic reserve, it must explain how the energy system will respond to shortfalls of renewable generation such as...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
48match
#7 - 1st Report - Methane: keep up the momentum
The UK Government should use its expertise in monitoring and verification to encourage the establishment of an international body to verify Pledge participants’ methane action plans.
Matched on
terms: climate
PFD report
45match
Mandy Dickerson
The Urgent GP Care Centre experienced issues with a non-mandatory sepsis template, confusion in out-of-hours patient referral pathways to hospital specialities, and a failure to record and communicate key patient observations.
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#2 - Estimate cost and test effectiveness of monitoring increased biomass sustainability and Drax's sourcing.
DESNZ has not made clear how its plans to strengthen the sustainability rules might work in practice. In its Biomass Strategy, published in August 2023, DESNZ committed to develop and consult on a common sustainability framework which could be applied to new future biomass policies and schemes across different sectors of the economy. It also committed to considering...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#53 - Investigate using the tax system to incentivise carbon footprint reduction in existing properties.
As with the embodied and operational carbon recommendation (Para 138nb mbnj ) we believe that the Government should investigate how it can use the tax system to reduce the tax burden on properties that reduce their carbon footprint and/or increase the tax burden on environmentally regressive properties to create a greater incentive for making retrofitting decisions that reduce...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#52 - Prioritise and incentivise building retrofitting over demolition by strengthening reuse requirements and reducing VAT.
Government should prioritise and incentivise retrofitting over demolition by strengthening requirements to reuse, repurpose and refurbish buildings before any demolition. It is contrary to the Government’s environmental objectives to incentivise carbon-intensive new building over the re-use of existing sites. To encourage the retrofit and repurposing of existing buildings, the VAT on retrofit projects should be reduced from 20%...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#51 - Prioritise strengthening policy focus on building retrofit and regeneration due to environmental benefits.
Although retrofit and regeneration of buildings is already encouraged in policy, it is often sidelined. Strengthening focus in this area should be prioritised, considering the range of benefits associated with doing so. (Conclusion, Paragraph 167)
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#46 - Update NPPF revision with clearer expectations and conduct consultation on embodied carbon reduction.
The December 2024 revision of the NPPF should be updated to include clearer and stronger expectations on embodied carbon for new developments. The current Government should also honour the promise made by the previous Government and conduct a consultation on how embodied carbon should be measured and reduced in UK buildings, potentially through Building Regulations, without compromising levels...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#44 - Mandate major developers submit whole life carbon assessments for all planning applications.
Major developers should submit whole life carbon assessments as part of planning applications to local authorities; this should be mandatory for all major developments, as defined in the NPPF. The Government should consult on ways to financially incentivise housing development to lower full lifecycle carbon, such as introducing a levy on new build properties containing higher levels of...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
44match
#8 - Fourth Report - Flooding
Climate change poses a grave threat to the flood resilience of communities, with the Climate Change Committee warning that warming of 4°C or more implies inevitable increases in flood risk even in the most ambitious adaptation scenarios considered. The Government needs to be frank about the level of risk it is prepared to accept in extreme climate change...
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
44match
#5 - Fourth Report - Pension stewardship and COP26
Trustees will need detailed and regularly updated guidelines provided by the Pensions Regulator to explain how they should consider the effects of climate change on pension scheme members. We recommend that the Pensions Regulator continuously monitor and update these guidelines.
Matched on
terms: climate
Committee recommendation
41match
#19 - 2030 carbon capture and storage targets deemed unachievable by the Department
In the latter part of 2024, the Department successfully concluded negotiations with two of the Track 1 projects. In December 2024, the Department announced it had signed contracts with the first two projects at East Coast Cluster: Net Zero Teesside (a gas–fired power station with 58 C&AG’s Report, para 1.5 and Figure 2 59 C&AG’s Report, para 1.8...
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#6 - Set out urgent new carbon capture targets and clarify how to address net zero shortfall
The Department has downgraded its ambitions for the CCUS programme, stating that the original 2030 ambitions are no longer achievable. The current CCUS programme is the government’s third attempt to introduce the technology. Compared with previous attempts, the government is now more reliant on CCUS succeeding as it sees the technology as essential to achieving net zero by...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#49 - Consult by April 2026 on financial incentives for lower embodied carbon products and manufacturing.
The Government could also consider other financial incentives in product areas where the cost differential makes adoption of lower embodied carbon products unattractive and support for manufacturing set up of lower embodied carbon products. We recommend that the Government consult, by April 2026, on what further incentives could shift the dial in this area. (Recommendation, Paragraph 160)
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#48 - Introduce eco-labelling for building products to popularise low-carbon materials in housebuilding.
Whilst the Government has taken initial steps to promote timber through the Timber Construction Roadmap, there remains a lack of clear incentives and guidance to encourage the adoption of low-carbon material in housebuilding. The Committee believes the Government should take a more active role in shaping how low carbon materials are popularised. This could be done by providing...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#47 - Alternative building materials effectively reduce embodied carbon and support net zero ambitions.
Alternative building materials, such as timber and hemp, offer practical and effective ways to reduce the embodied carbon of buildings. Their use supports Government ambitions to reach net zero and continue to deliver on their sustainable housing target, in addition to stimulating economic growth through the development of relatively nascent industries. (Conclusion, Paragraph 158)
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#43 - Accompany RICS whole life carbon assessment framework amendments with a formal statement.
We would encourage any amendments made to the RICS whole life carbon assessment framework to be accompanied with a formal statement, detailing the amendments and confirming that they have been approved to become part of the UK industry standard. This will ensure clarity for stakeholders and reinforce the updates made using the best available information and research. (Recommendation,...
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#42 - Commission a review into Council Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax for lower embodied carbon homes.
We recommend that the Government commission a review into Council Tax, Stamp Duty Land Tax and any other tax policies to consider the merit of offering lower bands of taxation for homes with lower levels of embodied carbon. (Recommendation, Paragraph 144)
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#41 - Review taxation policies to incentivise homeowners, housebuilders, landlords, and tenants towards low-carbon homes.
The Government should consider what other steps it could take to encourage low-carbon approaches to building, including reviewing taxation policies to incentivise home owners, housebuilders, landlords and tenants to favour homes with lower levels of embodied carbon. (Recommendation, Paragraph 143)
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#40 - Develop progressively ratcheted carbon targets and set timeframe for mandatory whole-life carbon assessments.
Additionally: a. “We recommend that following the introduction of whole life carbon assessments, the Government should develop progressively ratcheted carbon targets for the built environment, to match the pathway to net zero set out in periodic carbon budgets. These ratcheting targets should be reported on annually, and progress reports towards achieving these targets should be published annually as...
Matched on
classifier match