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Half of UK homes will need heat pumps by 2040 to hit climate goals
The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has advised the government to ensure half of all homes in the country have heat pumps – electric replacements for gas boilers – by 2040 as part of its Seventh Carbon Budget. This move is aimed at helping the UK achieve a balance between the greenhouse gases it produces and how much is taken out of the atmosphere, ultimately reaching net zero by 2050.
According to the CCC’s guidance, not only should half of all homes be equipped with heat pumps by 2040 but also four out of five cars must be electric. The committee emphasizes that reducing consumption of meat and dairy would also greatly contribute to this goal.
Although the UK government is not legally bound to accept the CCC’s advice, doing so would make the carbon target legally binding. This means the government can decide how it wants to hit the goal, but it is crucial they take action to achieve it.
The push for heat pumps in the UK began as far back as 2021, with a particular focus on those powered by hydrogen. Engadget senior editor Dan Cooper also shared his personal struggle to abandon natural gas in 2022, highlighting the financial burden of installing a heat pump even with government discounts.
While technology is rapidly advancing and becoming more efficient, the CCC’s plan may not be guaranteed to work as expected.
