2030 carbon targets 'unachievable' with Government's current approach

Experts have said the 2030 targets are 'unachievable' with current trajectory, though the longer-term goal of net zero by 2050 remains viable.

The independent Climate Council’s report has warned that Jersey is not currently on track to meet its 2030 climate targets, and the window for effective corrective action is 'narrowing', with the goal being undermined by inconsistent policy decisions.

READ: Jersey’s first Climate Council begins its review

It says Jersey’s ambition and intent in developing the Carbon Neutral Roadmap is 'laudable' and 'aligns with good international practice.'

But waste, transport, and finance policies lag behind comparable jurisdictions.

Although the shift from fossil to low-carbon energy is underway, the impact on overall emissions has been 'minor.'

When examining transport emissions, it says 'high car dependency', lags in infrastructure delivery, and the absence of strong price signals have kept transport emissions largely flat since 2020, when the goal in the roadmap was to reduce them.

READ: States Approves Carbon Neutral Roadmap

The report also found subsidies were skewed towards the wealthy, such as low-carbon heating grants, receiving an 'uneven uptake'. 

In response, the Environment Minister said changes may be needed to ensure the costs of decarbonisation are shared more fairly, particularly for lower-income households.

The review also criticised the installation of fossil-fuel heating systems in public buildings, such as schools, while asking islanders to decarbonise their own homes.

Speaking in the States Assembly yesterday, the Environment Minister Steve Luce acknowledged the point:

“If the government are going to say, ‘We need to go for low-carbon’, it’s going to be somehow incumbent upon the government to make sure that we walk the walk and not just talk the talk.”

The review says the polluter-pays principle has been weakened or abandoned, and that there are high-emissions activities (e.g. aviation) remaining untaxed. 

Also in the states yesterday, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel agreed that private aircraft should be taxed. 

Addressing the report in the states, Deputy Steve Luce thanked the council for their 'rigorous and realistic' report that is both 'challenging and encouraging.

He says they will now carefully consider the findings:

"Consideration of their analysis will inform policy development for the next delivery phase of the carbon-neutral roadmap. 

"The next phase is critical. The council's work provides us with the information we need to act decisively and transparently."