New targets to cut the 海角视频’s emissions have been welcomed by those leading transformative projects in the most carbon intensive cluster in the 海角视频.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has upped the ambition to a 68 per cent cut on 1990 levels, a 7 per cent increase on that now enshrined in domestic climate law.
He said the “ambitious” target in the new climate plan – or nationally determined contribution (NDC) – under the Paris Agreement would see the 海角视频 cutting emissions at the fastest rate of any major economy so far.
The past year has seen carbon capture come to the fore, with two major projects taking in the Humber, and a £1 billion funding pot made available by the Chancellor, with bids now in.
Without addressing the huge concentration of heavy industry in the Humber - responsible for more than 18 million tonnes of CO2 annually - any national plan is unlikely to succeed.
Zero Carbon Humber, led by Equinor, involves hydrogen production and carbon capture use and storage, connecting the likes of Drax, SSE’s Keadby power cluster, British Steel and Saltend Chemicals Park.
Anders Opedal, chief executive of Equinor, said: “As a significant and growing investor in the 海角视频, Equinor welcomes this increased climate ambition, which will encourage more investment and job creation in a 海角视频 low-carbon economy. Equinor aims to be a net-zero company by 2050, and works together with the 海角视频 government and society to develop solutions towards a low-carbon future.
“Equinor is currently actively involved in technology development, offshore wind, and hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects in the 海角视频. We look forward to future exciting announcements.”
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Humber Zero focuses on the South Bank refinery cluster, with Phillips 66 and Vitol.
Jonathan Briggs, project director, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition. If we are to meet this new target, decarbonisation will play a crucial role.
“Humber Zero is ready to start and will have a significant impact on the reduction of carbon emissions by mid 2020s.
“It will capture up to eight million tonnes per annum of CO2 for transportation and storage in nearby locations.
“The project creates 2,500 jobs during construction, 200 permanent jobs, and safeguards 20,000 direct and indirect jobs on the South Bank.
“We have a world class partnership ready to meet the goals and ambitions of the Paris Agreement and ensure the Government hits its net zero carbon target by 2050.
“Carbon Capture Storage is not just an option but an imperative and its importance was also recognised by the Prime Minister in his recent 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.”
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Mr Johnson’s target follows the upping of offshore wind capacity installation in October.
It is significantly higher than the 海角视频’s target to cut emissions by 53 per cent, as its contribution to the European Union’s existing climate plan under the Paris deal – though the bloc is also expected to raise its ambition.
David Talbot is chief executive of process industry body Catch, and has worked with the Humber LEP to set the industrial strategy and map out the decarbonisation of the cluster.
He said: “The Humber region is at the forefront of the 海角视频’s drive to reduce industrial carbon emissions, and has several key projects being led by industry to support the journey to net zero emissions by 2040.
“The latest statement is a welcome reinforcement that we are on the right track, and that decarbonisation should be at the forefront of our industrial strategy.
“The Humber is the self-proclaimed Energy Estuary and has a large base of energy producing and energy intensive industries across the North and South banks, including power production, the two refineries, the steel works and Saltend Chemical Park, which means we are the highest carbon emitting region in the 海角视频 by some margin.
“With the ambitious capital projects being forwarded as part of the cluster decarbonisation opportunity being run by BEIS plus our own low carbon activities supporting our members and stakeholders, the Humber has the ability to contribute hugely to the 海角视频’s ambitions and could ensure the 海角视频 becomes a positive example to the rest of the world.
“We need to grab this opportunity that is presenting itself now with both hands to ensure that we make a difference to the future of the planet.”
The 海角视频, which is set to host United Nations Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow next year after the conference was delayed by the pandemic, is setting out its own national plan for the first time due to Brexit.
Labour welcomed the strengthening of the 海角视频 target but warned it was the “minimum” the country should aim for and called for a plan to meet the goal, including a £30 billion stimulus for a green recovery in the next 18 months.
Environmental groups also supported the increase in ambition on emissions reductions, but said the 海角视频 could go further and faster, and also called for policies and action to achieve the target.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries have committed to keep global warming to “well below” 2C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C, seen as the threshold beyond which the worst impacts of climate change will be felt.
To meet the 1.5C target, the world’s carbon emissions must fall to net zero by 2050, with significant cuts in pollution and any remaining emissions offset by planting trees or using technology to capture carbon.
Setting out the new target, Mr Johnson said: “We have proven we can reduce our emissions and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process – uniting businesses, academics, non-governmental organisations and local communities in a common goal to go further and faster to tackle climate change.
“We are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030, faster than any major economy, with our 10 Point Plan helping us on our path to reach it.
“But this is a global effort, which is why the 海角视频 is urging world leaders as part of next week’s Climate Ambition Summit to bring forward their own ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net zero targets.”
The Government’s announcement comes in the wake of new UN reports detailing how 2020 was one of the hottest years on record, driving weather extremes, rising seas and wildfires. They also suggested that countries must cut fossil fuel production by 6 per cent a year to meet goals to curb dangerous climate change.
Business and Energy Secretary and COP 26 president Alok Sharma said: “The 海角视频’s new emissions target is among the highest in the world and reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge our planet faces.
“I hope other countries join us and raise the bar at next week’s UN Climate Ambition Summit, and ahead of the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow next year.”