Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The UK’s Policies on Low Carbon ‐Notes from a Small Island for a Big Country
Alan SearlFirst Secretary, Low Carbon Growth British
Embassy Beijing
Wuhan – Feb 2012
Take Away Messages
1. UK is building a strong partnership with China on low carbon policy
2. Many UK policy innovations are worth trying in China
3. Better regulation will unlock China’s potential to be a low carbon leader
Take Away Messages
1. UK is building a strong partnership with China on low carbon policy
2. Many UK policy innovations are worth trying in China
3. Better regulation will unlock China’s potential to be a low carbon leader
The Power of a Network…
Take Away Messages
1. UK is building a strong partnership with China on low carbon policy
2. Many UK policy innovations are worth trying in China
3. Better regulation will unlock China’s potential to be a low carbon leader
• 10% of England, Scotland and Wales National Parks;
• 1 million members of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds
1989 ‐Margaret Thatcher first leader to raise climate change as an important issue for the international community
1997 – UK plays a key role in securing the Kyoto Protocol
Note: UK green house gas emissions in 2009 about 26% lower than 1990 levels Kyoto target to reduce by 12.5% below 1990 levels)
2002 ‐ UK piloted first multi‐industry emissions trading scheme
EU ETS now makes largest contribution to cutting UK ghg emissions
2008 ‐ Climate Change Act – world’s first legally binding framework to tackle climate change – strong cross‐party support illustrated by final vote in the House of Commons (463 in favour, 3 against).
2008年气候变化行动计划
设立重大法律框架
Ambitious targets to reduce emissions大幅度减排决心
Ambitious targets to reduce emissions大幅度减排决心
• Requiring us to cut emissions by 80% by 2050 relative to 1990 levels, and by 34% by 2020
• 与1990年相比，2020年下降34％，2050年下降80％
Binding carbon budgets 强制性碳预算
Binding carbon budgets 强制性碳预算
• Five-year carbon budgets set three budget periods ahead; first ones cover period 2008-2022
• 三个预算期，第一个为2008－2022• Set the trajectory towards the 2020 and 2050 targets,
and ensure that cumulative emissions are limited. • 设立2020，2050路线，保证累计排放量下降
A clear accountability framework
责任明确的框架
A clear accountability framework
责任明确的框架
• A requirement to publish policies and proposals for meeting the carbon budgets
• 规定发布实现碳预算的政策与办法• A new Committee on Climate Change (CCC) to advise
Government on its budgets and how to meet them, and scrutinise delivery through annual progress reports.
• 设立气候变化委员会，为相关目标的设立与实现提出
建议并撰写年度进展报告。
2009预算年公布了三个碳预算
Green Investment Bank• Aim – to finance the investment in low‐carbon infrastructure
in the UK
• Bank will take on risk that the market cannot finance
• Renewables likely to be an early priority
• Initial capitalisation of £3 billion
• Begin operating in 2012‐13 – a year earlier than planned
• Borrowing powers from 2015‐16
Where do we get our electricity from?
UK 2050s Pathways Analysis
• Need to transform UK economy to achieve 80% reductions by 2050
• Analytical tool that examines different scenarios for reaching the target
• Whatever pathway is chosen, there are a number of actions that are common to achieving the 2050 goal
Common themes to 2050
• Reduce energy demand• Substantial electrification of heating, transport and industry• Trinity of renewables, nuclear and CCS essential• Unpredictable renewable generation increases the challenge• Need emissions cuts from agriculture, waste, industrial
processes and international transport• Fossil fuels continue to play a role, but their size will depend
on development of CCS
Take Away Messages
1. UK is building a strong partnership with China on low carbon policy
2. Many UK policy innovations are worth trying in China
3. Better regulation will unlock China’s potential to be a low carbon leader
UK/China: Differences
• Chinese cities are generally larger than those in the UK;
• Different economic make‐up (e.g. more heavy industry in China);
• Different stage of development, and urbanisation;
• Chinese cities expanding faster, with higher rate of new‐build and faster‐growing vehicle ownership;
• Different range of activities of public sector and different decision‐making processes
But common challenges
• A sound economic case for action to bring about the alignments needed;
• Effective baselining and measurement of progress through better data;
• Shared goals and consent amongst interested parties – learning from our mistakes and our effective systems approach;
• Long‐term policy planning to enable investment, and the right signals for business.
1. How can we better target our work in China to achieve greater impact? As international partners how do we help bring about greater policy innovation for the low carbon transition?
2. Where can we really make a difference at provincial and municipal level in the next phase of our work supporting the next Five Year Plan?
3. What are the greatest policy challenges/opportunities facing provincial and municipal leaders now? How can we help expand their policy choices on low carbon growth?
Your advice…
Take Away Messages
1. UK is building a strong partnership with China on low carbon policy
2. Many UK policy innovations are worth trying in China
3. Better regulation will unlock China’s potential to be a low carbon leader
