Zero Carbon Britain 2030: A New Energy Strategy

Synopsis

Zero Carbon Britain 2030 is the second report of the Zero Carbon Britain project, based at the Centre for Alternative Technology. The research programme behind it includes many leading universities and a wide range of commercial, charity and research sector organisations. ZCB2030 has moved along way beyond the first report by providing a more complete strategy incorporating all sectors of British industry. Starts by examining the context in which any national energy plan must be made, looking at climate science and energy security. Moves on to describe how we can Power Down heat and electricity demand largely through the use of new technology, efficient design and behaviour change, and Power Up clean fuels using renewable energy. Finally, examines the policy that can help bring this about - including carbon pricing schemes - and the job creation that will come with it (over 3.4 million job years in wind power alone). Includes a chapter on Land Use, which incorporates a programme of carbon sequestration through the use of natural materials in buildings and the storing of biochar in the soil. The plan proposed is radical in some areas and includes a shift away from meat production - the most carbon costly form of agriculture - towards lower impact arable farming. It also includes a national offshore wind farm development programme and a huge increase in the use of electric cars and other forms of electric transport.