The first annual report of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) concludes that change is required in the pace of UK emissions reduction and that new policies will be required to deliver the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan.

The Climate Change Act requires the Committee to report each year on emissions reductions relative to the UK’s carbon budgets.

In the 5 years 2003-2007, emissions reductions averaged 0.5% per annum, but going forward, reductions of 2-3% each year will be required to meet the carbon budgets.

The committee has highlighted where action is required to meet Government targets, such as in electricity generation and the energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings.

As far as road transport is concerned, emissions need to be reduced via a combination of a reduction in vehicle emissions and measures to constrain growth in traffic volumes.

The committee reiterates its belief that the carbon-efficiency of new cars can and should be reduced from above 160g/km today to 95g/km by 2020.

It says that this reduction could be achieved by improvements to fuel efficiency on conventional cars, but further reductions beyond 2020 will require a significant role for electric cars.

Manufacturer announcements of electric car initiatives have progressed even more rapidly than the committee envisaged, and significant progress on battery cost reduction continues.

But to ensure rapid progress, it believes two new government policies are required: support for new car purchase to drive initial volumes and help manufacturers achieve economies of scale; and support for battery charging infrastructure.