Net Zero Target, Objectives and Principles
5.1 Devon’s Net-Zero Target
The Devon Climate Emergency partners are committed to achieving rapid and fair emissions reductions in the next 10 years ofat least a 50% reduction in production and consumption emissions by 2030 below 2010 levels. The partners acknowledge there is a limit to the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted globally if dangerous climate change is to be avoided.
Partners will use their responsibilities and influencing opportunities to help Devon’s diverse communities, business sectors and environments as a whole achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest, following the national ambition. The Plan is frontloaded with impactful actions to support the partners that have set earlier net-zero targets for their areas. Progress towards achieving the Plan’s targets will be reviewed regularly so that the targets can be enhanced where delivery is better than expected, or the Plan can be revised where emissions reductions are not moving at the required pace.
The Plan will ensure that preferred solutions for local carbon offsetting are in place by 2030 to enable individuals, organisations and local areas to net-off to zero their residual emissions ahead of the national timetable where this is desired. Carbon offsetting must only be used for emissions that are not feasible or financially viable to avoid.
5.2 Carbon Pathway to 2050
Figure 5.1 shows the anticipated trajectory for the reduction of Devon’s production greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 2050. Most of the savings come from the Power, Buildings and Transport sectors. By 2050 Devon’s net emissions are projected to be -0.3Mt CO2e, meaning Devon will absorb more carbon than it emits.
Figure 5.1 – Trajectory for Devon’s production emissions by sector. F-gases refers to fluorinated gases, generally used as refrigerants. GHG Removals refers to approaches that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
