Activists say the UK government must end its support for the oil and gas industry in the face of renewed warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
In a comprehensive report released on Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said more public and private funding is still being spent on fossil fuels than on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
According to the authors, achieving the internationally agreed goal of preventing global average temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will not be possible without reducing carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel infrastructure.
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For this to happen, they say, all sectors of society must slash emissions, although some hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as aviation, shipping and agriculture must be supported by carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).
Scientists have previously warned that current policies are expected to heat the planet to 3.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which could trigger dangerous and unpredictable tipping points, such as the melting of the polar ice caps.
Alexander Kirk, fossil fuel campaigner for Global Witness, said: “Year after year, IPCC reports keep ringing alarm bells, yet business in the oil and gas industry continues to boom and governments continue to supplement their massive Profits and other subsidies.
“This is bankrupting the planet and threatening the lives of millions, while making a handful of executives and shareholders incredibly rich.
“All government support for the oil and gas industry needs to shift urgently to renewable energy and shift us to a green economy. It will also help provide a lifeline to a country already sinking from rising sea levels and extreme drought.”
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The IPCC says the cost of mitigating climate change will be less than the damage caused by the heat.
They also highlight the knock-on benefits of climate solutions, such as how switching to clean energy will improve health and reduce healthcare costs by reducing air pollution.
Air pollution cost the NHS and social care an estimated £42.88 million in 2017 alone, according to analysis by Public Health England.
Greens MP Caroline Lucas, Brighton Pavilion, said: “The IPCC is right – the age of fossil fuels is over.
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“Therefore, if our own government is to heed this warning, it must cancel the Cumbrian coal mine, abandon the proposed Rosebank field and immediately lift the blockade on onshore wind and solar.
“The evidence is clear and the solution is here – this is our last chance to ensure survival.”
Environmental groups are awaiting the government’s so-called “Green Day”, expected by the end of March, when the government must respond to a High Court order and amend its net-zero emissions policy.
Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: “Strengthening this will be the government’s best chance to show it is listening to the science and put the UK on track to become a prosperous green economy.
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“To do this we need a big push to insulate Britain’s leaky homes, accelerate the development of cheap, clean, renewable energy, reduce roads being built and end new fossil fuel infrastructure.”
A government spokesman said: “Today’s report clearly shows that countries around the world must work towards more ambitious climate commitments ahead of Cop28.
“The UK is leading the world in achieving net zero emissions, but we need to go further and faster. That’s why we are committed to building more wind, solar and nuclear power, as well as promoting hydrogen and CCUS, supporting up to 480,000 high-paying green jobs and capitalize on up to £100bn of private investment by 2030.
“This will strengthen our energy security and help ensure we keep wholesale electricity prices among the lowest in Europe.”
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Danny Halpin is the PA Environmental Correspondent.
