(Commonwealth_Europe) Every year, the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC)—the independent group that holds the government accountable on climate action—delivers a progress report. The 2025 edition brings a mix of optimism and warning: we’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot of ground to cover, and not much time left.
The UK has set itself some big climate goals: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 68% by 2030 and 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. These aren’t targets you can meet overnight. Big changes like rolling out clean energy, switching to electric transport, upgrading how we heat our homes, and rethinking entire industries take time and solid planning. That’s why the CCC doesn’t just measure emissions; it also looks at whether the right long-term policies are in place to keep things moving in the right direction.
There’s progress to be proud of. Since 1990, the UK has managed to halve its emissions. That’s largely thanks to cleaning up the power sector—think less coal, more renewables—along with better energy efficiency and shifts in the industrial landscape. That works out to a modest 0.7% drop in emissions each year. But since the Paris Agreement in 2015, the pace has picked up. Emissions have been falling by around 3.4% annually—a much-needed acceleration.
The not-so-good news is that this faster pace needs to not only continue but also expand across more parts of the economy. According to the CCC’s analysis, even this improved momentum might not be enough. A recent global review added urgency, warning the world could blow through its carbon budget in just three years if we hope to stay within the 1.5°C limit set in Paris.
Still, there are bright spots. The UK continues to build up its renewable energy capacity, which is helping cut emissions, lower energy bills, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Emissions from the power sector alone fell 17% last year. Electric vehicle sales are on the rise, now making up about 20% of new cars. For the first time, the electricity sector is starting to bend the curve on transport emissions, even as people are traveling more. Tree planting has also increased, especially in Scotland.
But the CCC’s report is clear: we’re not moving fast enough in key areas.
With just five years until 2030, nearly 40% of the emissions cuts we need aren’t yet backed by clear government policies. Emissions from aviation have now surpassed those from electricity generation and are increasing rapidly. Heat pump installations, while growing (nearly 100,000 last year), haven’t been enough to stop emissions from buildings from increasing. And while more people are buying electric cars, there’s been little push toward improving or promoting public transport like buses and trains. Industry, too, remains a weak spot, with little progress on cutting waste or boosting resource efficiency.
A striking point in the report: electricity only makes up 18% of the UK’s total energy use. That means over 80% of the emissions cuts we still need must come from other sectors, and many of those areas haven’t been given the attention or urgency they require.
Perhaps most worrying is the lack of a strong strategy to reduce overall energy demand. This isn’t just about making homes cheaper to heat—it’s about reimagining how we use energy across our daily lives. It means building better, more energy-efficient homes, improving public transport, encouraging walking and cycling, and helping businesses cut waste and use cleaner technologies.
The message is clear: technology alone won’t solve this. We need to change how we live, work, and move. But that doesn’t have to be a burden—it can improve our lives. Using less energy means cleaner air, lower bills, healthier lifestyles, and homes that stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
What the UK needs now is a more joined-up approach—one that doesn’t treat climate as a separate issue but connects it with how we build a stronger, fairer society. Climate action should go hand-in-hand with better health, reduced inequality, and long-term economic resilience.
There’s no denying that progress has been made. But the clock is ticking. Without faster, broader, and more coordinated action, the UK risks falling short of its climate goals—right when it matters most.
Still, the CCC remains hopeful. The country can meet its climate commitments. It just needs to make the right political choices—and act on them with real urgency. The solutions are on the table. Now, it’s time to use them.
