General Atlantic’s Post

The UK is off track for net zero and rapid progress is needed on electric cars, heat pumps and tree planting. These are some of the key messages of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) 2024 Progress Report to Parliament, published today. The report is an annual assessment of the government's efforts on tackling #climatechange, which states that the phasing out of coal and ramping up of renewables has been a huge success. However, it calls for ambitious action across the #energy, #transport, #construction, #industry and #agriculture sectors. Professor Piers Forster, interim CCC Chair, said: “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.”

Addressing the climate crisis requires transformative change. Gianluca Di Pasquale explores how governments can shape a sustainable future by implementing effective carbon pricing, investing in green technology, and building a resilient workforce. Find out more. https://go.ey.com/3uYNQQF #GreenTransition #sustainabilty

Today our CAST partner, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), published its 2024 Progress Report to Parliament, taking stock of the government's efforts to tackle climate change. In summary: we need to significantly increase the pace and scale of climate action 📈 🌍 At CAST, we know that people need to be at the heart of climate action, which means ensuring climate policies happen with people, not just to people. With that in mind, we’re pleased to see public engagement and communications considerations being woven through the CCC’s assessment and recommendations.    However, the report also makes it clear that the UK is not on track to meet its 2030 climate target. In fact, only one third of emissions reductions required by the end of the decade are covered by credible plans. This puts our Net Zero 2050 target at risk. 4 key social science takeaways from the report: 1) Consistent messages - the public is willing to play their part in reaching Net Zero, but they want to see clear and consistent leadership from governments 🏛     2) Public engagement - involving people in the development of climate initiatives and telling great climate stories is crucial in garnering support for Net Zero 📖     3) Removing barriers to green choices - low-carbon behaviours must be affordable, practical, convenient, safe, socially acceptable and allow people some freedom of choice 💸     4) Justice - ensuring that climate policies and initiatives work for people across sectors and demographic groups is essential to social transformation 🤝 Read our CAST blog post for our full list of key social science takeaways, as well as an overview of the CCC's key findings and what the report means for the future of climate action, with views from our CAST Director Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE and Theme 4 Co-lead, David Powell: https://lnkd.in/eqAXxt7Y Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eMu6gzGF #ClimateChangeCommittee #NetZero #ClimateEmergency

Greenwashing Cracks? Companies that pledged to be bastions of sustainability are backtracking on ambitious environmental goals. Is the fight against climate change losing momentum? Read more to find out. https://on.ft.com/4eE4RkY

🌿 What is the role of Nature-Based Solutions in responsible corporate climate strategies? 🔧 What are the best approaches and tools to implement effective impact reduction pathways? 💡 How to distinguish between credible, evidence-based actions and greenwashing? In this article, written with the support (and wisdom) of Wesley Snell, we seek to shed light on these issues to guide companies in shaping the positive structural change towards which the global economy must strive. Want to learn more? Reach us at ETIFOR! #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateAction #Sustainability

“The hard truth is that we’ve done a poor job of reconciling corporate actions with the interests of society and the planet in a balanced way. Yet the urgent need to do so is undiminished.” But it’s not just companies finding it hard to hit climate targets — some governments are, too. Scotland’s nationalist devolved government ditched its 2030 decarbonisation target in April, saying it was “out of reach” following delays to its draft climate change plan. Germany’s climate adviser said on June 3 that it believed the country’s own 2030 goal was likely out of reach. The missed targets matter because ambitions were for the most part relatively low to start with. The median goal of 51 major companies was to cut emissions just 30 per cent by 2030, the non-profit groups NewClimate Institute and Carbon Market Watch concluded in a joint study this year.

In his first post for Forbes, Michael Berends, CEO and co-founder of ClearBlue Markets, stresses the importance of leaning into the voluntary carbon market (VCM). He argues that despite its flaws, the VCM is a practical and immediate tool to tackle climate change, urging us to embrace its potential. Read the full article on Forbes. https://lnkd.in/g9cPVbEV

🌍 Navigating Climate Policy: Crafting Sustainable Pathways 🌱 Delving into climate policy intricacies is crucial on our sustainable journey. 📜 🔗 Explore more: https://lnkd.in/dPwWQTq6 This insightful piece from GreenBiz deciphers the essence of genuine climate policy - a blend of actionable strategies over mere ambitions. 🌟 Article Highlights: Comprehensive Vision: It embodies emission cuts, adaptation, and fair clean energy access. Collective Endeavour: Engages all stakeholders in a collaborative mission. Innovation Drive: Fosters sustainable tech advancement. Transparency: Upholds clarity, accountability, and result-driven approach. Social Equity: Ensures fair distribution of climate action's impacts. We're not mere bystanders but catalysts in advocating and advancing real climate policy. Let's unite, inspire, and work collectively towards sustainable change. 💪 Pledge your commitment to climate action: https://lnkd.in/gWFPj33s #ClimatePolicy #Sustainability #ClimateAction #RealClimatePolicy #ChangeMakers

🌎 Each year, Earth Day invites us to consider what we can do as individuals to help solve environmental problems. In this new article, Thomas Kuh, PhD, #MorningstarIndexes Head of ESG Strategy, provides ways that we as individuals and investors can make our voices heard to influence climate policies. http://spr.ly/6047jB73T #EarthDay #ClimateChange