SE Academic Review 2023

8 ST EDWARD’S, OXFORD 2 . The UK’s ability to

reach carbon neutrality by 2050 Research Question: To what extent does a 100% domestic renewable energy policy represent a credible strategy to achieve carbon neutrality in the UK by 2050? By Mia Crawford

Our world currently faces one of the greatest threats to humanity in our short existence. We continue to pollute our atmosphere with CO 2 , greatly affecting our ability to maintain temperatures at a manageable and environmentally friendly level. Inter-governmental treaties such as the Paris Agreement and IPCC report have been crucial in recognising what needs to be done (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021). The main aim of the Paris treaty is to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees. To do this, leading countries like the UK have pledged to transition to a carbon neutral society by 2050. It is the critical importance to both the UK and the world of addressing carbon neutrality by the 2050 deadline that led me to the question “To what extent does a 100% domestic renewable energy policy represent a credible strategy to achieve carbon neutrality in the UK by 2050?”

Introduction