In a 600-page assessment, it found that while policies are now in place for most sectors of the economy, there is “scant evidence” that the UK will achieve any of its climate change goals so far.
UK emissions are now almost half (47 per cent) their 1990 levels. Emissions rose 4 per cent in 2021 as the economy began to recover from Covid-19 but were still 10 per cent below 2019 levels.
While efforts to boost renewable energy deployment and increase uptake of electric vehicles were found to have progressed, other low-carbon options remain “in their infancy”, the report said.
Home energy-efficiency was one area found to lacking, especially considering soaring energy prices, which have dominated household bills in recent months. While the government promised significant public spending on better insulation in 2019, and committed to new policies last year, neither has yet occurred.
The UK continues to have some of the leakiest homes in Europe and installations...