Net Zero Transition – Latest signals of change (03.12.21)
We Mean Business Coalition
Here are just some of the signals of change from the past week, demonstrating the transition to a resilient and inclusive net-zero economy.
Net-Zero Economy
Greece is introducing its first climate law, pledging to cut its reliance on coal within six years as part of a move to a carbon “net zero” economy by 2050.
Net-Zero Energy
Amazon has become the world’s largest buyer of renewable energy and now operates 274 renewable energy projects globally and is well on track to its goal of being able to power 100% of its business operations with renewable energy by 2025. Three grid companies in the U.K. have proposed a £863 million plan to convert the gas network in northeast England to use hydrogen. British power generator Drax aims to double its sustainable biomass production capacity and sales of the product by 2030. The UK’s largest offshore wind tower factory, the Port of Nigg factory will open in Scotland in 2023, creating more than 400 manufacturing jobs and producing up to 135 towers per year. It has been another record year for renewable energy, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, IEA data shows. 2020 was the first year in which wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and waste power provided the entirety of growth in global power generation, new BloombergNEF analysis shows. And Shell has pulled out of the controversial Cambo oil field development west of Shetland in Scotland.
Net-Zero Transport
Nissan has announced a $17.7bn vehicle electrification plan in a bid to assert its dominance over incumbent global automakers and newcomers. British Airways will become the first airline in the world to use sustainable aviation fuel produced on a commercial scale for flights next year. Copper mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc is converting its fleet of diesel trucks and other machinery to electric or hydrogen power. And a survey from Autovia found more drivers plan to buy electric cars than petrol for the first time.
Net-Zero Built Environment & Heavy Industry
An oil rig decommissioning yard, a ‘green’ steel fabrication plant and a hub for building offshore wind turbine bases are part of a multi-million-pound plan to create the UK’s first fully circular energy transition facility in the north-east of Scotland. British hydrogen maker HiiROC has completed a £25 million investment with new investors including Melrose Industries, HydrogenOne, Centrica, Hyundai and Kia. BP plans to build Britain’s biggest “green hydrogen” facility on Teeside to produce the clean fuel for use in new hydrogen-powered lorries and other transport. IKEA has announced a commitment to eliminate plastic from all consumer packaging solutions by 2028.
Net-Zero Land and Nature
Supermarket chain Wm Morrison is replacing soya-based chicken feed with insects to produce “carbon neutral” free range eggs, as part of efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from its agricultural supply chains. £12 million will be addressed to support natural regeneration and urban greening projects across England, thanks to an initiative by the Nature for Climate Fund and announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Forestry Commission. A group of organisations led by the National Trust, who own and manage a third of England’s land, have signed a pact to make their grounds more climate-friendly by boosting peat bogs, woodlands and rivers.