Today the Climate Change Committee provided its advice to the UK government on the level of the Seventh Carbon Budget (2038-2042). CLG UK provided comments on the published advice.
The recommended level for the Seventh Carbon Budget, a limit on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions over the five-year period 2038 to 2042, is 535 MtCO2e, including emissions from international aviation and shipping.
Bev Cornaby, Director of the UK Corporate Leaders Group, said:
“The Climate Change Committee’s latest advice reinforces what many business leaders already know - delivering a clean, electrified economy is both feasible and essential for long-term growth and prosperity. The Seventh Carbon Budget advice sets out a clear and credible pathway for the UK to achieve an 87% emissions reduction by 2040, driven primarily by large-scale electrification of power, transport, and heating.
For businesses, this is not just a climate imperative but an economic opportunity. As the CCC highlights, early investment in clean technologies will deliver savings over time, driving down costs for businesses and households alike. The UK has a track record of rolling out transformative technologies at scale, and this transition is no different. Businesses stand ready to invest, innovate, and support the shift to a secure, resilient, and low-cost energy system - but they need clear policy signals to accelerate progress.
Failing to act now will only increase costs in the long run, leaving the UK more exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices and economic shocks. By committing to electrification and clean energy, the UK can strengthen its global leadership in the industries of the future, attracting investment, driving innovation, and setting a model for other economies to follow. We call on the government to embrace the CCC’s recommendations and work closely with business to unlock private sector investment and drive forward a competitive, net-zero economy that delivers for people, businesses, and the planet.”