Photo: Brian Egan
Key Points:
- The East of England is at the sharp end of climate change. It has the lowest average rainfall and highest average temperatures in England. 20% of the region is below sea-level, in some areas up to 25% of properties are at risk of flooding and the coastline is eroding rapidly.
- The East of England’s offshore renewables are central to the UK’s clean energy economy and the continued decoupling of growth from emissions is key to energy security, economic prosperity and progress towards net zero.
- The East of England is the UK’s most vulnerable region to the impacts of climate change and adaptation is needed because of high risks. The specific risks to the region of climate change require a scientific quantitative assessment.
- Net zero electricity installers and local authorities are all grappling with long energy connection queues. The lack of grid connection is a bottleneck to installing and connecting-up renewable energy solutions whether large or domestic in the region.
- There has been no progress reducing transport emissions. The cheapest and fastest route is potentially a 20mph urban speed limit. Freight contributes to the Region’s emissions because of import and agriculture distribution and greener freight is a priority also. Investment in Ely Junction will open-up low-carbon rail to freight.
- Support for Sustainable Aviation Fuel from domestic waste streams and feedstocks will help UK airports deliver jet zero. Sugar Beet pulp reclassification will help support biogas production.
There is no national framework or secure funding for local authority climate action. Stop-start competitive funding is holding back local progress and does not help markets to develop or secure investment. Devolving funding to local authorities will deliver better outcomes.
To this end, ongoing collaboration between the APPG and local Climate Commissioners and Partnerships will illuminate and support place-based climate action both regarding renewable energy and adaptation such as flood defences.
Download the report here or read below:
Briefing note_East of England
