Emissions reduction should be planned as an economic opportunity
SIR – Theresa May, the Prime Minister, is introducing a net-zero greenhouse-gas target, against the Chancellor’s warning that it will cost £1,000 billion (report, June 12). However, the Chancellor’s warning is misguided for two reasons.
First, efforts to reduce emissions can’t just be categorised as an upfront cost. They are also an investment that will reduce the cost of new technologies, increase domestic supply of a wide range of low-carbon goods and services, and deliver air-quality and health benefits.
Secondly, the cost and economic benefits ultimately depend on the quality of the policies that the next government will put in place to deliver them.
An economically sensible plan to achieve net-zero emissions needs to accelerate innovation and cut the cost of critical technologies such as the use of hydrogen. Measures must be introduced to expand market demand for low-carbon goods and services – as the United Kingdom has successfully done with offshore wind and recycling. British industry must be protected from high-carbon imports, through policies such as low-carbon product standards.
By pursuing an ambitious domestic delivery plan and using British diplomatic clout to get other emitters to strengthen their climate targets and increase low-carbon trade, the next government will put Britain in a strong position to reap the economic benefits of being an early mover on net-zero emissions. Nick Molho
Executive Director, Aldersgate Group London W1
SIR – It worries me that in this time of climate hysteria, Britain is prepared to take unilateral measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Both George Osborne and Tony Blair could see the danger of this policy and made sure that any steps we took were to be considered in relation to what other counties were doing, so as not to put Britain at an economic disadvantage. Why are our present politicians so hell bent on leading the world in this? Jack Thompson
Coventry, Warwickshire
SIR – BP has just released world energy statistics for 2018. Compared to those for 2017, they make sober reading.
China increased its fossil fuel use from 2,684 to 2,761 million tons. The percentage of world energy that came from fossil fuel fell only slightly, from 85.1 per cent to 84.7 per cent. At that rate, it would take 211 years to decarbonise.
Despite the huge sums spent on renewables, global carbon dioxide emissions rose from 33 to 33.7 billion tons.
Geoff Moore
Alness, Ross and Cromarty
SIR – From today, then, all “classic” vehicles are rendered valueless. What a dreary society it will be after 2050. Peter Harrison
Poringland, Norfolk