Boris Johnson has announced an ambitious new target in terms of the UK’s emissions by pledging to have zero emissions by the year 2050. Recognising the urgent need tackle climate change, UK aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030. This is by far the most ambitious target in the world and shows the UK’s commitment to climate change.
An important factor in the fight against climate change is the use of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources mean less reliance on fossil fuels to create energy and thus they are the way forward if the UK hopes to achieve zero emissions by 2050.
The citizens of UK are urged to do their part, like using an electric car or installing an EV charger. But there are other things to consider if you want to do your part in helping the government meet its goal. Make your home and business eco-friendly, by having more frugal sources of electricity. Compare business electricity prices and consider getting solar panels and other economical forms of electricity.
It is thought that by 2035, renewable energy sources will provide over half of the global electricity. To power this green, eco-friendly future for the UK, four popular renewable energy sources will be used.
Hydropower is the most commonly used form of renewable energy. It is responsible for the production of 54 percent of renewable power worldwide. Hydropower comes from water in dams when the water is used to drive turbines to generate power. It can also be generated by using natural running water to drive the turbines.
Wind energy is the second most popular source of renewable energy. It is responsible for the production of 24 percent of renewable energy worldwide. Wind turbines which look like a modern-day windmill are used to get the kinetic energy from the wind to generate power or electricity.
The people of the UK are installing solar panels at a higher rate than all other European countries. Solar power works by trapping the energy from sunlight and converting it into electricity. Solar panels work even during days when it is cloudy. In an estimation by the Energy Saving Trust we learn that an average four kilowatts peak solar power system can save £85 to £220 yearly on electricity bills.
Agricultural by-products, organic wastes, biofuels, and wood pellets and all included in modern biomass. Biomass is burnt to create steam, which is used to power turbines that generate energy. Bio energy is the biggest contributor in heat decarbonisation, which furthers progress towards the pledge to be net carbon neutral by 2050.
Overall, it is great that the UK is making such an effort to attain net zero emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050. This effort is also evident from the announcement made by the Government to phase out new vehicles that run on petrol and diesel by 2030.