Net zero emissions ‘won’t be enough’

Environment Agency chief in warning

CLIMATE: Reaching net zero on carbon emissions will not be enough to combat the climate emergency and save the planet, says the head of a government environment agency.

But Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan is due to praise efforts to ensure that carbon emissions are cancelled out in the coming decades.

REACHING net zero on carbon emissions will not be enough by itself to properly combat the climate emergency and save the planet, according to the leader of a government agency responsible for protecting the environment.

Speaking at a round table event for government and industry leaders today, Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan will praise efforts to ensure that carbon emissions are cancelled out in the coming decades.

But he will urge them to adopt “net zero plus”, reducing emissions while also adapting to the more extreme weather and rising sea levels that are inevitable owing to damage already done.

It comes as a new climate commission in Yorkshire and the Humber prepares to launch tomorrow in a bid to help the region’s leaders meet their net zero commitments. Many local authorities have declared climate emergencies and town halls in

cities such as Leeds and Sheffield have set themselves the target of achieving net zero by 2030.

Sir James is expected to say today: “Even if the world was to stop all its carbon emissions tonight, the effects of the emissions that have already happened will continue to make themselves felt for decades.

“Global average temperatures have already warmed 1C above pre-industrial temperatures, and we’re already seeing evidence of more frequent and more extreme flooding, droughts, water shortages and wildfires; faster and more extreme coastal erosion; and potentially permanent damage to habitats, plants, wildlife and cultural heritage.”

Sir James will say that however quickly the world is able to reach net zero, it will experience a continued rise in sea levels well into the next century.

Average sea levels have already risen by around 16 centimetres since 1900 and could increase by over a metre by the end of this century.

Sir James will add: “Even with the ambitious global and national actions we all want to see to reduce emissions, some further climate change is now inevitable.

“That is why as a nation we need to be climate ready so that we are resilient to the future hazards and potential shocks that would otherwise impact our economy, our prosperity and our lifestyle.”