Carbon Brief’s Post

Should The Peatland Code be included in the UK's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)? 🤔 We certainly think so! The UK ETS places a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions a company can release. Every unit of emissions up to this maximum is part of a tradeable allowance, creating a carbon market with a carbon price signal to incentivise decarbonisation. Currently, purchasing carbon credits verified through the peatland code is done voluntarily. However, many in the sector - including us! - believe admitting Peatland Code verified carbon credits into the UK ETS would improve the investment case in peatland restoration and help the UK reach its net-zero ambitions. As a true emission abatement, with high permanence and a low risk profile, Peatland Carbon Units represent a fantastic opportunity for the UK ETS to increase its impact on the UK's GHG Inventory. Without the compulsory force of the ETS, the incentive to invest in peatland restoration – an effective form of carbon sequestration – is weakened, leaving this incredible resource for climate change untapped. With a consultation on inclusions within the UK ETS ongoing (closing 15th August - https://buff.ly/4deZMi6), here's hoping the Government and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero hears our calls for the Peatland Code to be included! #ClimateCrisis #PeatlandRestoration #ScottishPeatland #ClimateAction #CarbonEmissions #GenerationRestoration

I'm hugely disappointed by this, but not surprised. Despite the rhetoric coming from the SNP and Greens over the past few years about Scotland leading the way in cutting emissions and reducing CO2, it's been clear for a while that their policies and projects were destined to fail. Take the Deposit Return Scheme as an example, which I have plenty knowledge of having been in the thick of it for a few years before it was scrapped (sorry, "delayed pending a UK wide scheme"...). That scheme was completely uncommercial and when interrogated in any reasonable depth, was likely to lead to a net increase in emissions! It was also going to reduce recycling rates of non "scheme articles" because councils would not be able to maintain reasonable recycling measures for those other recyclables. The fact the The Scottish Government, and in particular the Scottish Green Party, a party whose primary aim is to fight climate change, keep getting these things so completely wrong is unforgivable. We need to do better. #climatechange #scotland #scottishgovernment #sustainability

I just calculated my carbon footprint and I'm pleased that I'm using 75.0% of my share vs the UK target. Find out your score with @wwf_uk's footprint calculator: https://lnkd.in/eeNajmCF #FightForYourWorld

I just calculated my carbon footprint and I'm using 70.0% of my share vs the UK target. Find out your score with @wwf_uk's footprint calculator: https://lnkd.in/djzW-sVY #FightForYourWorld

The dust has now settled from the general election - and the new government is facing huge challenges. Without balancing the need for economic growth with environmental protection, the new administration can’t put the UK on the path to prosperity. Climate change and the cost of living crisis should be tackled together, with an urgent need for investment in three key areas: 1. Building a resilient, domestic energy supply so that we can produce low-carbon heat and electricity in a cost-effective way for homes and businesses. 2. Pushing ahead with the Resources and Waste Strategy to make it simple and deliverable, helping to improve recycling rates and regenerate resources. 3. Tackling the unacceptable levels of pollution and low levels of water resilience in the UK, to safeguard a sustainable, clean supply of water for all. Water, energy and waste are all critical sectors with positive growth, investment and environmental potential; but the legislation must be in place to unlock the investment needed. I'm looking forward to seeing how the new government tackles this challenge. Read more on Veolia's full asks from the new government in their first 100 days here: https://ow.ly/4Gv350SAeNc #GreenUp #Decarbonisation #Depollution #RegenerateResources

Have you heard about the latest grants distributed by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act? The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $4.3 billion in grants to fund projects in 30 states to reduce climate pollution. The money will go to 25 projects targeting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electric power, commercial and residential buildings, industry, agriculture and waste and materials management. The administration has said the selected projects when combined would reduce greenhouse gas pollution by as much as 150 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2030, or roughly 2 percentage points. The U.S. has pledged to slash its CO2e emissions by 50%-52% by that year.

The Built Environment sector includes residential, commercial and public buildings. This sector accounted for 11.2% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in 2023 Read more about Council’s recommendations to lower emissions from the sector: https://shorturl.at/ElfOp

Interesting insight into the challenges of carbon offsetting

Targets are set, and many are not met. That much is true across all aspects of human behaviour, so the fact that the carbon reduction targets set by the Scottish government have been deferred is not unusual. What I find absolutely unacceptable is that the targets have not been met year-on-year and the government know they are way behind the 8 ball, but they continue to insist that the 'overall target' is achievable. How are they going to succeed, what do they expect to change, and what example are they providing to SMEs, community organisations, and individuals? This underpins the criticism that politicians make ludicrous claims knowing they will not be around to answer the inevitable questions in the medium to long term. Do the politicians care or is it simply 'achieve power at all costs'? What is much, much worse is that by doing this the Scottish government has reduced the belief that the temperature targets are feasible, and the willingness of other actors to help. The credibility of the programme has been significantly undermined. Scotland has been shamed by this. https://lnkd.in/edUABE97

Why is there another "deafening silence" on environmental protection, climate change or biodiversity issues? It's the case every election - we know its important, but we're more concerned with financial security and protecting our health. Climate change and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. Just when we want to get the UK economy growing again, the Green Finance Institute suggests that damage to our natural environment could see a 12% drop in GDP - worse than Covid-19. Yet, the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) offers a £57bn boost from green technology and innovation by 2030, if the next government can unlock it. Fighting the climate crisis is good for the economy. The next 5 years are vital to protecting and stabilising our natural capital - UK has lost 69% of species since 1970 after all. Nature-based solutions and a strong commitment to decarbonisation will create opportunity in our economy, improve mental and physical health across society, and mitigate other risk-multipliers. A vote for nature is not a wasted one: its a vote for our future, for job creation, for renewable energy stability, for wildlife, for cleaner water ways, for better air quality, for our health, and for our green and pleasant land. #climatechange #sustainability #naturebased #pollution #cleanair #greentech