The UK has a lot to gain from Net Zero

I WOULD like to answer Mike Butterfield’s question and some others as there is a clearly a sub-text in his letter.

It is obvious that if the UK alone meets Net Zero and the largest

emitters fail, then global warming would not be averted. Nobody has claimed otherwise.

The question he failed to ask is whether we are acting alone and it inaccurate to say we are. China is often highlighted but has increased its investment in renewables. According to the International Energy Agency, China deployed an amazing 46% of the total global renewable capacity in 2021 and it has an aggressive renewable policy for the coming decade. The IEA sees China’s progress as good considering the growing share it has of the world’s manufacturing.

This year will see record renewable investment globally driven by both international agreements and by economics. This is because renewables now offer better value than fossil fuels.

Further, the UK will see many other benefits by following the Climate Change Committee’s pathway to Net Zero. Cleaner air from reduced fossil fuel use, more physical exercise in our daily lives and less meat in our diets will all improve our health and reduce NHS costs. Better insulation and other efficiency gains will save money and make us more efficient.

Finally, as a G7 country, doing the right thing on Net Zero in the UK will continue to support the international agreements that are so important.

The UK has a lot to gain from Net Zero, whilst the world has a lot to lose from a collective failure. We should show some backbone, stop looking for excuses, play our part and keep our commitment.

I have a question for Mike Butterfield. How bad will things

get if mankind carries on emitting greenhouse gases as it does now? Michael Carter Exeter, Devon