SSE has joined a group of other large companies in calling for advanced economies like the UK to aim for ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050 at the latest.
The call is made in a letter to UK Prime Minister Theresa May that also marks the 10th anniversary of the UK’s Climate Change Act.
It comes on the day that SSE Chief Executive Alistair Phillips-Davies is in Brussels to help launch a new study by industry body Eurelectric that shows how the European power sector can become fully carbon neutral by 2045 through investment in renewable energy and electricity networks.
Commenting on the letter and the study, Alistair said:
“The most recent report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlighted again the very real and serious risks that climate change represents. That’s why SSE has no doubt about endorsing big targets and bold ambitions.
“Warm words aren’t enough. It’s deeds that matter. Our decision to refocus SSE on energy networks and renewable energy is based on the fact that it’s these businesses that will help enable the transition to a decarbonised electricity system and so help combat climate change.
“Through investment and innovation in networks and renewable energy we can be proud of the contribution to decarbonisation that SSE has made so far. Today’s letter and study show much more work lies ahead, and we’re setting SSE up to show leadership in commitment to decarbonisation and action in helping to deliver it.”
Note
‘Net zero’ emissions means cutting the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere by human activity until the amount released is no greater than the amount removed through, for example, reforestation programmes and development of new technology.