The launch of the policy and passing of these laws sees the UK as the leading major economy to end its contribution to global warming by 2050.
Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore said:
“The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions.”
“Today we’re leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy - putting clean growth at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy.”
“We’re pioneering the way for other countries to follow in our footsteps driving prosperity by seizing the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy.”
Key to achieving the net-zero target by 2050 will be the investment into research and development, utilising our scientific expertise to investigate new technologies, materials and resources and establish solutions on how we can offset our emissions produced, against our emissions taken from the atmosphere to reach an overall balance.
Key to achieving the net-zero target by 2050 will be the investment into research and development, utilising our scientific expertise to investigate new technologies, materials and resources and establish solutions on how we can offset our emissions produced, against our emissions taken from the atmosphere to reach an overall balance.
The Prime Minister has already committed to doubling the research and development budget over the next 5 years, which is a significant increase over previous years. The aim of the UK is to become a global science superpower and it is recognised that research and development will help with this transformation.
Previous years have seen a disproportionate divide of funding, with the South and East of England benefitting more compared with other regions of the UK.
However this disproportionate divide has been recognised and where we choose to invest the money is now also seen as of great significance, the Prime Minister declared that this is a ‘One Nation’ government, committed to ‘levelling up’ so that every corner of the UK can benefit from its determination to share our future prosperity.
For science and innovation, we too need a ‘One Nation’ strategy for R&D.
Sources
GERD/BERD figures: ONS, Gross domestic expenditure on research and development, by region, UK
UK becomes first major economy to pass net-zero emissions law
Levelling up research and innovation right across the United Kingdom