Britain Needs Huge Switch to EVs, Heat Pumps and to Eat Less Meat to Hit Net Zero

A man drinks from a bottle at Primrose Hill, in London, Britain, September 3, 2023.

Britain’s climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), released their seventh carbon budget on Wednesday, February 25, 2025, outlining steps to achieve the country’s 2050 net zero target. The plan urges a shift away from fossil fuels, encouraging electric vehicles, heat pumps, and reduced meat consumption. This comes as the government faces calls to ease household costs following the energy regulator’s announcement of a third straight quarterly price increase.

The CCC advises cutting emissions by 87% from 1990 levels by 2040 to meet net zero goals and align with the Paris Climate Agreement. Britain has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 53% since 1990, largely due to growth in renewable energy and the closure of coal plants. Piers Forster, Interim CCC Chair, stated: “Now we need to see action on transport, buildings, industry and farming. This will create opportunities in the economy, tackle climate change, and bring down household bills.”

To meet the target, the report suggests that 80% of cars on British roads should be fully electric by 2040, requiring almost all new car sales to be electric starting in 2030. It also proposes that over half of homes switch to heat pumps for heating by 2040, up from about 1% currently. These changes would double electricity demand, necessitating a significant expansion of renewable power sources.

The government has prioritized decarbonizing the electricity sector, aiming to lower energy costs and reduce reliance on imported energy. The CCC projects that this transition could save households around 700 pounds ($883.82) annually by 2050 compared to current bills, with savings emerging by 2040. Recommendations include lowering electricity costs by removing policy fees from bills, simplifying the installation of charging points, and providing support for heat pump adoption.

The report also projects a decline in meat consumption, down 25% by 2040 and 35% by 2050 from 2019 levels. This follows a 10% drop between 2020 and 2022, with the CCC anticipating cheaper, tastier meat alternatives to support the trend. On aviation, the report avoids discussing airport expansions, such as Heathrow, and suggests a 17% reduction in emissions by 2040 from 2023 levels through sustainable fuels, efficiency improvements, demand management, and carbon offset purchases.

Under the Climate Change Act, Britain must outline its path to legally binding climate targets, setting carbon budgets every five years, 12 years ahead. The government has followed the CCC’s previous six budgets. The latest report emphasizes practical steps to balance environmental goals with economic benefits, focusing on technology adoption and sustainable practices across key sectors.