The report warned that the waste sector could generate “substantial emissions” by 2050 unless it implement new policies “urgently” and goes on to set out several recommendations for the waste sector.
Its recommended pathway requires a 78% reduction in UK territorial emissions between 1990 and 2035. In effect, bringing forward the UK’s previous 80% target by nearly 15 years (see letsrecycle.com story).
It said waste sector emissions, now including EfW plants, accounted for 6% of UK emissions in 2018 and were 63% below 1990 levels. Around 60% of this is still from landfill, and around 20% from EfW.
‘Significant step up’
Executive director at the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Jacob Hayler, noted that the reports target to achieve a near 80% reduction in emissions by 2035 compared with 1990, was a “significant step-up”.
He added that the waste sector stands “ready to play its part” in recommendations that the delivery of the budget be driven by private sector investment in the UK’s green recovery.
“ESA members have invested billions in the UK’s circular economy infrastructure, helping sectors right across the economy to reduce the embedded carbon associated with their waste materials, but we are now going further and, together, are setting out a Net Zero Strategy for the sector to address the carbon intensity of recycling and resource management operations,” he said.
Mr Hayler added: “This will include the electrification of plant and vehicle fleets; investment in carbon capture and storage; driving more biogenic material out of landfill; and removing fossil-based materials from energy recovery while maximising their efficiency through greater heat offtake.”
‘Fundamental role’
CEO of Suez recycling and recovery UK, John Scanlon, explained that the report recognises the “fundamental role” the waste sector will play in improving the UK’s carbon performance.
Mr Scanlon said that the sector is “ready to invest” in the transition, planning, infrastructure and technological innovation that is needed to deliver the governments ambitions.
Mr Scanlon explained: “The sector has been on its decarbonisation journey for over two decades and this next phase, supported by the upcoming reforms to EPR, consistent collections and DRS, will see us drive up recycling rates and reduce the carbon impact of treating the waste that remains. At SUEZ we’re already taking actions, both large and small, to transform our environmental performance and build on the significant progress we have already achieved.”
‘Progress’
Biffa also welcomed the report and said it is “leading the industry” in reducing its emissions impact.
Cory Reynolds, corporate affairs director at Biffa said that the company is focusing on making progress towards the 2030 targets.
“We welcome these recommendations from the Climate Change Committee. Biffa is leading the industry in reducing its emissions impact”
Ms Reynolds said: “We welcome these recommendations from the Climate Change Committee. Biffa is leading the industry in reducing its emissions impact and has already made significant progress towards net carbon neutrality, having reduced emissions by 65% since 2002. We are also targeting a further 50% reduction by 2030 which will mean an over 80% reduction in less than 18 years by diverting waste away from landfill into recycling and recovery, improving collection route densities and phasing out fossil-fuelled collection vehicles.”
‘Vital document’
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) made particular note of the committee’s “clear view” that local authorities have an important role to play in achieving the government’s net zero targets.
In the report, the committee outlined how where local authorities are able to move faster than 2025, they should be “incentivised to do so”.
ADEPT president Nigel Riglar described the report as a “vital document” and addressed the need for “strong and coherent” leadership from the government and a commitment to making tough decisions.
Mr Riglar said: ”ADEPT welcomes the Committee’s clear view that local authorities have the most important role to play in achieving the government’s net zero target and ensuring the transition to net zero must be fair and focused on people, place and community.
“As we have set out with our partners in our updated Blueprint for accelerating climate action and a green recovery at the local level published this week, much of this work has to be done at the local level. We agree that we need to ramp up action, particularly in the lead up to COP 26, but to do this leaders need to be empowered with the right funding and resources to act effectively today, tomorrow and for each of the 3,300 or so days left in the decade.”
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