The UK must reinstate its original 2030 deadline to phase out new fossil-fuel car and van sales if it is to meet critical net zero targets, according to the Climate Change Committee (CCC). In its latest progress report, the CCC highlights that only a third of the necessary emissions reductions to meet the UK’s 2030 interim net zero target are currently supported by credible plans, prompting a call for urgent action.
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The UK has pledged to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. Despite a significant reduction in emissions in 2023, the country is not on track to meet this target, with the deadline now only six years away.
The CCC criticises the previous government's inconsistent messages on net zero commitments and outlines where immediate action is needed. Key areas include accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles and reinstating the 2030 internal combustion engine (ICE) phase-out date, which was recently pushed back to 2035.
The committee stresses the need for substantial reductions in surface transport emissions, with electric vehicle adoption being a critical factor. Although battery-electric car market share stagnated at 16.5% last year, other European countries like the Netherlands, France, and Ireland continued to see growth.
Labour’s manifesto promises to restore the 2030 ICE phase-out for cars, but omits vans. The CCC report indicates that the market share of fully electric vehicles needs to increase dramatically from 16.5% for cars and 5.9% for vans in 2023 to between 80% and 100% for cars and 70% to 100% for vans by 2030. This growth is feasible as supply increases and costs decrease.
Urgent removal of planning barriers for electric vehicle charge points, heat pumps, and onshore wind is also crucial. Public electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs to triple its installation rate by 2030 to meet demand.
Despite these challenges, the CCC notes a positive trend: the UK's emissions are now less than half of 1990 levels, mainly due to phasing out coal and increasing renewable energy. Preliminary data shows a 0.9% decrease in surface transport emissions from 2022 to 2023, partly thanks to the growing number of electric vehicles.
Public support for climate action remains strong, and the CCC hopes the new government will use the upcoming COP29 in November to reassert UK leadership in global climate efforts.
Professor Piers Forster, interim chair of the CCC, stated: “The country’s 2030 emissions reduction target is at risk. The new government has an opportunity to course-correct, but it will need to be done as a matter of urgency to make up for lost time. They are off to a good start. Action needs to extend beyond electricity, with rapid progress needed on electric cars, heat pumps and tree planting.
“The transition to net zero can deliver investment, lower bills, and energy security. It will help the UK keep its place on the world stage. It is a way for this government to serve both the people of today and the people of tomorrow.”
Matt Finch, UK policy manager at Transport & Environment, criticised the previous government’s “continual, damaging delay” to net zero. He highlighted the opportunity for the new government to boost electric vehicle demand, properly tax the aviation industry, and address shipping emissions.
Silviya Barrett from Campaign for Better Transport emphasised the need to focus on public transport and active travel. She called for a reassessment of the previous government’s decision to cancel HS2’s Northern leg and redirect funds to road building. Barrett urged the government to expand rail capacity and connectivity to reduce road transport emissions.
The Campaign for Better Transport’s recent policy paper, HS2: what next?, outlines priorities for the new government, including increased investment in public transport and ending domestic aviation tax cuts.
