With the new government, the UK’s tone is changing
From COP29, Kier Starmer announced a new UK target — 81% emissions cut by 2035.
This is an improvement on the legally binding 2021 goal of 78% by 2035, and it arguably makes us one of the most ambitious of the G20 nations.
Can we be complacent?
In the UK, the race is just beginning.
Whilst we’ve made huge steps in reducing reliance on fossil fuels in our energy grid, bigger challenges are afoot for the built environment:
- About 25% of the UK’s emissions come from the built environment.
- About three-quarters of that is from operational emissions and another quarter is from embodied emissions.
- The government has committed to 1.5 million new homes, as well as recommitting to large infrastructure upgrades such as HS2.
- We have the ‘leakiest’ homes in Europe, which impacts the health of our communities as well as operational emissions.
Can we lead by example?
The World Meteorological Association predicts 2024 to be the warmest on record.
Despite COP28 milestones, including tripling renewable energy capacity and almost every nation agreeing to transition away from fossil fuels, global 2024 emissions are projected to increase by 0.8%.
The gap between talk and action widens, and we’re emitting more than ever.
But where do we point the finger? Governments? The climate delaying media? Powerful oil interests and billionaires? Foreign disinformation? In the mirror?
Challenges loom, but there’s an opportunity for each of us to take action. Whether it’s on an individual, organisational or societal level, we can lead by example and get things done.
Four actions engineers can take today
Technical guidance for insurers, asset owners, designers, and developers, to enhance the insurability and safety of mass timber structures.
ETHICS 2.0 is a call to action for our community. While we still don’t have all the answers, we are optimistic that we can make a difference.
This is a comprehensive guide helping ensure buildings contribute positively to the UK's climate objectives. Engineers should engage with it to stay at the forefront of their field, build better and more sustainable structures, and play a proactive role in addressing climate change
Take local action by joining a local or grassroots movement. For example, some of our colleagues joined the River Action UK March for Clean Water this year.