Net zero emissions by 2050

The UK’s journey towards net zero emissions by 2050 started in 2003, when the aim was to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 60% from 1990 levels.

In 2008, the Climate Change Act set a greenhouse gases reduction target of 80%.

As the world’s first legally-binding framework for tackling climate change, the Act has been responsible for the UK’s considerable progress to date. When Parliament agreed in 2019 to amend this legislation, the UK became the first of the G7 group of industrialised nations to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050.

This whitepaper considers the likely impact of this commitment upon both the energy strategies of organisations and their purchase and use of power.

It also looks at what changes may come as a result.