The Government is expected to present the Seventh Carbon Budget to Parliament in the near future.

Reports have indicated that a more ‘ambitious’ line is likely to be taken, but ECIU’s Peter Chalkley, has warned that if these were to be watered down, then this lack of action, on top of slower progress than ECIU believes is needed, will be detrimental.

Noting that China’s emissions are only just now looking as if they may have now peaked and the UK’s steadily falling emissions are less than one per cent, it is more the solidarity of action that is desired. Around 84 per cent of the global economy is covered by a commitment to net-zero. Of large economies only Iran and the US don’t have such a commitment, and with China finally falling into line.

“In the heat of the debate, the critical point that politicians will likely miss out is: why net-zero in the first place. It was British scientists who described the need to stop adding ever more emissions to the atmosphere, to reach net-zero emissions in order to bring our climate back into balance and stop climate change. As the UK has just confirmed to have had its first 'megafire’, three of the worst harvests in England occurring in the past five years and with experts predicting the mercury could now hit 45C in the UK, unless the world hits net-zero all of this continues to get much worse for us.”

The question is will the remaining 16 per cent, including the US, follow the lead?

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