By Georgia Gratton
A Path Toward Net-Zero
The UK’s 2035 target comes just months after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the goal at the UN COP 29 climate summit in November 2024. This third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) marks an important milestone for the country, as part of its legally binding target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan focuses on a combination of cutting emissions and boosting climate finance, both domestically and internationally.
The NDC is framed in line with the Paris Agreement's ratchet mechanism, which requires countries to increase the ambition of their climate targets over time. In the UK’s case, it is committing to reduce emissions by 81% by 2035, a bold step toward the 2050 net-zero target.
Transition to Clean Energy
A core component of the new climate strategy is the transition to clean energy. The UK government aims for 95% of its power generation to come from clean sources by 2030, with a notable target to reduce the carbon intensity of electricity generation to “well below” 50g CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per kWh by 2030. To put that in perspective, the carbon intensity in 2023 stood at 171g CO2e/kWh. This move will involve further investments in renewable energy and nuclear power to ensure a low-carbon electricity grid. The UK is also setting an example for the world, having already shut down all of its coal-fired power plants, with the last one closing in September 2024. This makes the UK the first G7 country to take this major step.
The country also plans to address heating by investing $3.4 billion (or £4.24 billion) over the next three years into decarbonising heating systems and improving energy efficiency in homes. This includes a significant boost to low-carbon heating technologies, like heat pumps, and the rollout of a clean heat market mechanism which will require boiler manufacturers to offer more eco-friendly options.
Phasing Out Fossil Fuels
As part of its broader strategy, the UK government is also focusing on phasing out fossil fuel dependence, including by ending the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines by 2030. This is in line with the UK’s pledge to lead the global transition to electric vehicles, a sector expected to play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions from transport, which is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases.
Additionally, the UK has committed to reviewing its policy on new oil and gas exploration, with discussions likely to take place over whether to issue new licenses for oil and gas fields. This move reflects the government’s commitment to aligning its energy future with climate goals.
Green Investment and International Support
The UK is also taking steps to ensure that the global community benefits from its climate action. The plan includes the country’s commitment to spending £11.6 billion on international climate finance from April 2021 to March 2026. This financial support has already helped reduce or avoid 105 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, illustrating the country’s role in supporting climate efforts beyond its borders. At the same time, the UK is positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy investment, with global expansion of renewable energy capacity on the agenda, as discussed at COP 28.
Looking to the Future
This latest climate plan is not the UK’s final word on the matter. The government has stated its intention to introduce further measures over time, including an updated cross-economy strategy and a new industrial decarbonization plan by 2026. This evolving approach reflects the UK's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in addressing the climate crisis.
While the UK’s ambitious climate goals come with significant challenges, this plan demonstrates a comprehensive approach that blends aggressive emissions reductions with clean energy transition and global leadership. The 2035 targets will require bold action, but if achieved, they will place the UK on a path to a sustainable and low-carbon future, helping to lead the world in the fight against climate change.
In the context of global climate action, the UK’s NDC sets a strong example, and it will be exciting to see how other nations follow suit as they update their own climate plans in the years to come. The next step is clear—more progress, more investment, and more collaboration in tackling climate change head-on.
Let’s keep the conversation going: What do you think of the UK’s new climate plan? Do you believe other nations will follow suit? Let us know in the comments!
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