UK's 'Victorian era' CO2 emissions achieved without driving up energy costs

[NeoGreen]

http://www.treehugger.com/energy-policy/uks-victorian-era-co2-emissions-achieved-without-driving-energy-costs.html

UK's 'Victorian era' CO2 emissions achieved without driving up energy costs

It was recently reported that UK emissions are now as low as they were when Queen Victoria was in power. That's an incredible achievement. And given the very real societal, environmental and economic costs of climate change and air pollution, it's an achievement that should easily pay for itself even if energy bills rise as a result.

But here's the thing: The low carbon transition hasn't actually pushed up bills.

As Business Green reports, analysis from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has revealed that while the direct costs of subsidizing renewables and energy efficiency programs have added £9 (around US$11 in post-Brexit Britain) per month to the average household energy bill in 2016. But that added cost was more than offset by a £20 decrease attributed to increased energy efficiency gains—gains that have in large part been supported by the subsidies for efficiency.

This is very good news. While pro-fossil fuel special interests continue to decry the costs of going green, the fact is that an aggressive push for renewables and efficiency ought to help the average pocketbook. And that's before you even factor in the negative costs of pollution that'll disproportionately impact lower income communities.