Stepping up to the challenge

Last year, the UK made a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 57% on 1990 levels by 2030.

Stepping up to the challenge sets out how a long-term plan for the whole economy, and a change in government mind-set can help us meet these goals.

Business has already made good progress. While emissions are down nearly 40%, the economy is now 60% larger than 1990.  Yet further progress looks challenging. The early wins have already been won, with most of reductions in emissions coming from the power and industrial sectors. Making further progress will require a real push by all sectors of our economy.

This spring, the government will publish an “Emissions Reduction Plan” detailing how the UK will achieve its low carbon ambition. This should set out a whole economy approach, with policy working with the grain of the market, and a shift in mind-set, from the top of government down, embedding low carbon thinking in all their work and across all departments, from Whitehall to town halls.

Business is already making a real effort to move to a low carbon economy, but to remain resilient and competitive, government and business need to work together, and with the public, to create a prosperous low-carbon future.

Find out how Tarmac is using demand response to help manage the electricity grid

Read how AES is delivering grid services with batteries in Northern Ireland

Read how Arriva is delivering low-carbon transport solutions in Milton Keynes