Today’s Climate Change Committee report, Progress in reducing emissions, makes it clear that while some progress has been made towards the UK achieving its climate goals, the pace of progress must be dramatically increased to meet the country’s ambitions.
The Institution of Civil Engineers echoes the CCC’s call for the Government to return net zero to ‘top billing’ and prioritise progress over perfection.
Institution of Civil Engineers Director of Policy Chris Richards said:
“It is alarming, but sadly not surprising that the latest Climate Change Committee’s report says there is an overall lack of urgency from the UK Government to deliver the net zero transition.
“The Government seems to view net zero decisions as unviable expenditure because of the cost-of-living crisis, but in the long run, putting off investment in the transition to net zero will cost the public and businesses more, while delaying the financial benefits of a net zero system that will be cheaper to run.
“Infrastructure professionals are keen to be part of the solution. They’re leading the way by creating new industry standards for managing carbon in the built environment, and suggesting more joined-up, strategic decision making across the sector.
“But to implement ideas and make progress, the profession needs clear direction from Government.
“If the Government isn’t prioritising decisions with the future in mind, who does it think will?”
