Guernsey Press

An expensive view of a net-zero future

WHILE Guernsey waits to reach agreement with the UK government on the extension of the Paris climate agreement to Guernsey – agreed in principle at COP26 last November – Jersey has just managed to fire a significant warning shot across our bows. One that probably few have noticed.

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Signing up to Paris will be the most visible part of Environment & Infrastructure’s new ‘Pathway to Zero’ plan, which looks at what the island needs to do to meet our net zero carbon emissions targets.

The goal? Reduce emissions from the island’s prime sources – transport, energy and waste – and work out how to do it via policies, fiscal levers and whatever else we can, as long as it’s appropriate for our ambition and scale.

E&I continues to work on its electricity strategy, looking at demand, supply and the market, and even speaking to Jersey about its experiences,

It has also reviewed and revised its climate change work plan to accelerate three interdependent areas of policy – climate change mitigation and adaptation, electricity and renewables, and the blue and green economy.

The Pathway to Zero report should be completed this year. We don't know the cost implications.

But meanwhile in Jersey they are streaking ahead – not yet with actions, but meaningful words, and perhaps just as importantly, costs in cold hard cash set against them.

The States last week agreed a policy setting out the island’s proposed route to carbon neutrality. An initial four-year delivery plan to get the island carbon neutral by 2030, and net-zero by 2050, comes with a pretty hefty £23m. price tag.

The plan includes banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, incentives to buy electric vehicles, extra funding for ‘active travel’ and stopping the installation of new oil, gas and coal boilers by 2026.

'We are approaching a tipping point,' said Assistant Environment Minister Jess Perchard. 'Doing nothing is not an option.'

Jersey States members noted the cost of going carbon neutral but agreed ‘the cost of inaction’ was far higher. Meanwhile in Guernsey we wait – and wonder how we might pay for it.