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igem news

MOLECULES AND ELECTRONS BATTLE IT OUT

Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change approach to decarbonising cities and
(CCC), presented the Sir Denis Rooke Memorial Lecture as part of stated that public engagement and
support must be part of the process.
the conference programme The net investment costs to achieve
net zero have been estimated at around
DELIVERING THE SIR DENIS ROOKE and international context of climate £10,000 per household between now
Memorial Lecture, entitled ‘Molecules change, stating that we are witnessing and 2050 and this
and electrons: the net zero conundrum’, unprecedented levels of CO₂ in the load must be
Chris Stark gave an impassioned speech atmosphere globally and we must see supported by
on the impact of climate change, the a ‘handbrake turn’ in strategy over the a practical
necessity of reaching net zero carbon course of the 2020s if we are to minimise strategy and
emissions and the pathways through our impact on global warming. strong fiscal
which that can be achieved. Based on its recent analysis, the support from
Highlighting the role of the CCC, to committee is calling for a clear government.
provide independent technical advice strategy for greening hydrogen and Chris
on the best steps to abate carbon in the scaling it up at least tenfold on current concluded
economy, Chris shared details of the levels – to be used as a complement by stating
committee’s work to prepare for the to electrification and for power that we are
next carbon budget to be published production, heating for homes, heavy right on a cusp
later this year. This significant report transport and industrial processes. of great change,
will be the first budget set since the Alongside the need for technological calling on us to
net zero target came into being and innovation, Chris recognised the need be optimistic and
will determine the shape of the UK’s for a considerable change in consumer to embrace the
transition between now and 2050. behaviour to achieve net zero. He change if we are
Chris acknowledged the scientific advocated a local area planning to thrive.

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