Emission Impossible and Climatically Irrelevant as Global Fossil Fuel Use Continues to Increase.
The government has embarked on a unilateral policy of reducing the UK’s 1% contribution to global man-made CO2 emissions to net-zero by 2050 without voters having any say. There’s no credible costed plan as the Climate Change Committee continue to withhold their calculations. The initial claimed cost of £1 trillion is likely to be an underestimate. The result is panic measures being suggested such as bringing forward the banning of new petrol/diesel car sales, the banning of all cars by 2050, banning gas central heating boilers and gas hobs in new homes initially. Meanwhile, an analysis of global fossil fuel use data by Roger Pielke Jr shows the highly unlikely and rapid decarbonisation that would be required for the world to meet a net zero target by 2050 (1).
ABD Environment spokesman Paul Biggs said: “As parliament continues to wrestle with leaving the EU, a much more dangerous and costly tyranny has been waved though Parliament by all parties with minimal debate. This isn’t about controlling the climate, even if that were possible, it’s about controlling every aspect of people’s lives. Currently there’s no like-for-like replacement for fossil fuels in transport or energy supply as EVs and so-called renewables rely on non-renewable resources. Our economy, livelihoods, way of life and energy security are under threat. An urgent rethink is required.”
Net-Zero is distinct from Zero because it allows for the capture or removal of CO2 including the planting of trees. Carbon Capture is an expensive and developing technology. An interesting article in the Financial Times about Electric Cars (2) pointed out the implications for energy security because there are very few countries with Lithium and Cobalt resources. Virtually all Lithium reserves are located in just 4 countries (Chile, China, Argentina and Australia). 80% of Cobalt reserves are in 5 countries (Congo, Australia, Cuba, Philippines and Zambia). As with any resource, supply and demand puts an upward pressure on prices. Steve Milloy of junkscience.com has calculated that replacing all cars in the UK alone with EVs requires 200% of current Cobalt production, 75% of global Lithium and 50% of global Copper. The ABD welcomes any alternative calculations for supply and demand.
Notes for Editors:
(1) Forbes: Net-Zero Carbon Dioxide Emissions Requires a New Nuclear Power Plant Every Day: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerpielke/2019/09/30/net-zero-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-2050-requires-a-new-nuclear-power-plant-every-day/#692b24f035f7
(2) FT: Going head to head over electric vehicles: https://www.ft.com/content/bf083d92-e43e-11e9-b112-9624ec9edc59
