Hitting climate emission reduction targets - what it will mean for UK households

Climate advisors are urging the UK to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 87% by 2040, with a third of these reductions expected to come from actions taken at home.

But what does this mean for everyday activities like heating our homes, driving, flying and even what we keep in our fridges?

HEATING When it comes to home heating, the Climate Change Committee suggests that around half of all UK homes should be heated using an electric heat pump by 2040, a significant increase from the current 1% in 2023.

This would mean the number of heat pumps installed in existing homes would need to jump from 60,000 in 2023 to nearly 450,000 by 2030, and around 1.5 million by 2035 – a rate comparable to other countries like Ireland and the Netherlands. The committee reassures homeowners that they won't have to replace their old gas boilers until they reach the end of their lifespan, but no new boilers could be installed after 2035.

While switching to heat pumps could save households £700 a year on energy bills by 2050, there will be upfront costs associated with installing low-carbon tech, and electricity will need to become cheaper.

Overcoming misconceptions and lack of awareness about the technology will also be key, as concerns about upfront costs, inconvenience, noise, reliability and implications for renters persist. The Climate Change Committee has ruled out hydrogen boilers as a solution for heating homes.

DRIVING Under the Climate Change Committee's recommendations, by 2040, three-quarters of cars and vans on our roads will be electric. This is a significant leap from the mere 2.8% of cars and 1.4% of vans in 2023, as rules phase out petrol and diesel vehicles.

The committee has highlighted that electric cars are already cheaper to run and maintain than their petrol and diesel counterparts, with second-hand models matching in purchase price. By 2026 to 2028, new electric cars are expected to be cheaper.

The shift to electric vehicles, coupled with heat pumps replacing gas boilers, will enhance local air quality. However, this transition requires substantial support from green energy sources like offshore wind.

FLYING When it comes to flying, the demand needs to be managed to reduce aviation emissions. The sector must also bear the costs of decarbonisation through sustainable fuels, carbon capture, and electric and hybrid planes.

This could result in increased costs, for instance, a return ticket to Alicante, Spain, could rise by £150, and a round-trip to New York could be £300 pricier by 2050. However, these increases would represent a relatively small proportion of the projected growth in household incomes by then.

Air travellers may face a hike in air passenger duty or the introduction of a frequent flyer levy. Still, a citizens' panel has cautioned that measures should be in place to allow families to fly on holiday once a year.

DIET To curb emissions from meat and dairy production, and to make room for carbon-absorbing tree planting, it's suggested that people should consume 25% less meat by 2040 compared to 2019 levels. This is a more significant reduction than the long-term trend of slowly decreasing meat consumption but less drastic than recent years, and it also includes a 20% decrease in dairy intake.

According to Dr Emily Nurse from the Climate Change Committee, this necessary meat reduction equates to cutting down from eight doner kebabs a week to six.

Lowering meat and dairy consumption could enhance health and could be achieved through measures like substituting small amounts of meat and dairy with alternatives in ready meals, and expanding the choice and availability of plant-based foods in public sector eateries, restaurants and supermarkets.

The proposed decrease in meat and dairy consumption, coupled with incentives for farmers and land managers to diversify their income sources, will result in a 27% drop in sheep and cattle numbers by 2040, based on 2023 figures, according to the recommendations. This would free up land for woodland planting and peatland restoration, which can capture carbon emissions from sectors such as agriculture.

However, farmers have criticised the idea that reduced meat consumption should lead to fewer livestock, arguing that the UK's eco-friendly meat production should replace produce from other parts of the world where it has a greater climate impact.

OTHER EFFORTS Implementing energy efficiency measures such as insulating homes can significantly reduce emissions. Additionally, opting for public transport, cycling, or walking instead of car journeys can also contribute to this cause.

Households can further make a difference by conserving energy at home, increasing recycling efforts, and switching to more efficient appliances like fridges. Swapping gas cookers for electric induction hobs is another effective way to cut down on emissions.