Britain is making progress on cutting emissions but not fast enough to bring down household bills, or meet key climate targets, according to the Climate Change Committee’s latest assessment.
The CCC, the UK’s independent statutory climate adviser, released its first verdict on the new Government’s record and future plans — and while the tone is more optimistic than last year’s damning report, it comes with a clear warning: time is running out to speed up action.
Emissions fell by 2.5% in 2024 — the tenth straight year of reductions, not counting the pandemic.
Overall, UK emissions are now just over half of what they were in 1990, with major cuts coming from the electricity and industry sectors.
But the CCC says this progress, much of it driven by past policies, masks growing risks in other sectors.
Emissions from flying rose last year. Aviation now produces more emissions than the UK’s entire electricity supply sector. And with more than 80% of future emissions cuts needed outside energy, that’s a problem.
Transport, buildings, land use and public sector decarbonisation are all areas where action is lagging. The Committee praised recent government decisions like restoring the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars and scrapping planning barriers for renewables. Heat pump installations rose 56% last year. Tree planting is up too. But it’s not enough.
“There’s been good progress in parts — but we’re not moving fast enough in the sectors that matter most,” said the CCC.
Bills must come down
One recommendation in particular has been ignored for another year: making electricity cheaper. The CCC argues this is vital to speed up the switch to clean tech like electric cars and heat pumps. And it would help families feel the benefits of net zero in their pockets.
Credible policies exist for only 38% of the emissions cuts needed by 2030. Another 43% is classed as risky or uncertain.
A shocking 14% of the total has no proper plan at all — including the full roll-out of heat pumps and vital emissions removals.
The report also found no progress on four of its 35 key recommendations from last year. That includes cutting electricity prices, rolling out heat pumps at scale, and improving support for tree planting and peatland restoration.
The CCC warned that plans to clean up industry — including electrifying heat and scaling up carbon capture — are falling behind.
Even public buildings remain largely un-decarbonised, with no clear strategy to fix it.
EVs are making a difference
On a more positive note, electric vehicles are finally starting to make a dent in emissions. Last year, EVs made up nearly 20% of new car sales. The emissions savings from switching out petrol and diesel are becoming measurable — and growing fast.
The CCC says this ‘S-curve’ adoption pattern is a good sign. If the current growth rate holds, the UK could see a big jump in EV impact by 2030.
But that’s a big ‘if’.
Britain’s targets — including its international 2030 climate commitment and the Sixth Carbon Budget — depend on doubling the pace of emissions cuts in sectors outside energy.
Without that acceleration, the CCC warns the UK will miss its legal targets and delay the benefits of net zero for homes and businesses.
