About the session
The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels. For this to happen, we need to transform the UK economy while ensuring secure, low-carbon energy supplies up to 2050. The speaker discusses the energy and climate challenge from a UK perspective. The UK, like many developed countries, still gets 90% of its primary energy from fossil fuels; climate change action must involve significant change to the energy system. It is crucial that discussions about future low-carbon options are founded on the laws of physics and the realities of engineering. The speaker discusses the latest climate data and the crucial role of engineering and innovation in the delivery of the UK's targets. The UK's 2050 Calculator is an open-source tool that enables the public and policy-makers to explore the range of technically feasible pathways and the trade-offs between different options. It is a user-friendly model that lets you create your own UK emissions reduction pathway and see its impact using real UK data. The Calculator helps everyone to engage in the debate and lets Government make sure that planning is consistent with the long-term aim. The 2050 Calculator outlines, in minutes, months of work from technical experts. It can be used to engage a range of audiences on the challenges and opportunities of the energy system. It brings energy and emissions data alive, showing the benefits, costs and trade-offs of different versions of the future. It allows you to explore the fundamental questions of how the UK can best meet its energy needs and reduce emissions. The 2050 Pathways work presents a framework through which to consider some of the choices and trade-offs we will have to make over the next 40 years. It is system-wide, covering all parts of the economy and all greenhouse gas emissions released in the UK. It is rooted in scientific and engineering realities, looking at what is thought to be physically and technically possible in each sector.
