The Seventh Carbon Budget inquiry: evidence submission

This publication shares evidence submitted to the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry into The Seventh Carbon Budget by The Grantham Institute and Imperial Policy Forum. 

This response has been developed by: 

• Cait Hewitt, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
• Rosie Allen, Imperial Policy Forum, Imperial College London
• Dr Ajay Gambhir, Visiting Researcher at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
• Dr Neil Jennings, Partnership Development Manager, the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
• Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Professor of Engineering Biology at Imperial College London
• Dr Mirabelle Muûls, Associate Professor in Economics at the Imperial College Business School, a co-Director of the School of Convergence Science – Sustainability, Imperial College London
• Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Associate Professor at the Grantham Institute, the Centre for Environmental Policy, and a member of the Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Imperial College London
• Dr Nilay Shah, Professor of Process Systems Engineering at the Department of Chemical Engineering, a co-Director of the School of Convergence Science – Sustainability, Imperial College London
• Dr Emily Theokritoff, Research Associate in Climate Damage Attribution at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
• Dr Paolo Vineis, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology at Imperial College London

Headlines:

• We welcome the Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s recommendations on the 7th carbon budget. 
• We consider the 0.2% GDP whole-economy cost estimate to be realistic, with the primary challenge being upfront financing rather than affordability.
• We support the CCC's emphasis on electrification of surface transport and buildings and note that the proposed dietary shifts align with existing consumer trends rather than requiring imposed changes. 
  • The inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions in the budget is essential. 
• The transition presents substantial economic opportunities, particularly in sectors where the UK is well-positioned for long-term competitiveness, such as offshore wind and carbon capture technologies. 
• Given that future decarbonisation increasingly requires active public participation in decisions around diet, travel and heating, effective engagement will be essential to realising the full potential of the transition. 
• The benefits of meeting the 7th carbon budget, including avoided climate damages and significant health improvements from reduced air pollution, substantially exceed the investment costs. 
• Additional support for energy efficiency measures and accelerated deployment of carbon removal technologies could further insure against potential shortfalls whilst maximising co-benefits for fuel poverty, housing quality and energy security.