November 12, 2024

expert reaction to UK govt’s announcement on nationally determined contributions at COP29

Scientists comment on the UK Government’s announcement on nationally determined contributions at COP29. 

Prof Mark Maslin, Professor of Climatology at UCL, said:

“The ambitious announcements of Keir Starmer are a welcome boost for the COP meeting and will encourage other countries to accelerate their drive to net zero emissions. The beginning of the COP meeting has been overshadowed by the news of a second Trump Presidency and the likelihood that he will pull the US out of the negotiations.  Starmer’s announcements are timely showing that the UK is back leading the world with climate action. Because the UK Government realises that switching to a clean green economy is good for people’s health, security and boosts growth.”

Dr Caterina Brandmayr, Director of Policy and Translation at the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, said:

“This NDC is exactly what the world needs right now to help mobilise climate action.

“With 2024 expected to be the hottest on record and climate disasters like the Spanish floods and other extreme weather battering all parts of the world with just 1.3°C of warming, the reality of climate change could not be starker.

“NDCs are critical to drive the near term scale-up of clean technologies and ensure rapid emissions reductions. The UK’s NDC sends a strong signal to the international community as the COP29 negotiations get underway and motivates other countries to come forward with ambitious NDCs. To show that the UK is serious about delivering on its commitments, the 81% target now needs to be backed by strong policy and investment plans to drive real world emission cuts. This will also support a wealth of other benefits, including energy security, job creation and cleaner air.

“The UK’s climate plan must also include concrete steps to deliver on the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. The retirement of the UK’s last coal fired power plant was a remarkable milestone, but the government now needs to set out clear steps to rapidly move away from production and consumption of all fossil fuels and support a just transition for workers and communities.”

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