National Grid: UK needs low-carbon master plan

National Grid today called for a master plan to determine the UK’s route-map to a low-carbon economy.

The electricity-gas company also announced that, as of 1 April, it will also implement new internal carbon budgets for performance management. Its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2020, and by 80 percent by 2050.

“Despite the challenging economic conditions, we must not take our eye off the ball in tackling climate change,” said Steve Holliday, National Grid’s Chief Executive. “National Grid is committed to playing its part in addressing climate change, alongside others. But we need a master plan, with Government, industry and consumer collaboration, to determine the route-map for meeting Government targets of 80 per cent emissions reduction by 2050, and 15 per cent renewable energy sources by 2020.”

Such a joint approach is needed to ensure the right legislation and regulations are in place, and that the needed infrastructure investment is made so renewable energy sources can be connected to the electricity grid, Holliday said.

Added Joe Kwasnik, National Grid’s Head of Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility, “We believe National Grid is among the first companies in the world to align company-wide emissions with performance management. Our new interim emissions reduction target of 45 per cent by 2020 — which goes further than the European Union’s potential 30-percent reduction commitment by 2020 — will provide a more relevant milestone for our business planning process and ensure emissions management is integrated into every aspect of our operational decision-making.”