Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which sets the policies to put Jersey on a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050, has been published and lodged with the States for approval.
It follows a public consultation on the Roadmap, which attracted 1,925 survey respondents, and feedback from a series of focus groups and written submissions from stakeholders.
Of those who responded to the survey, 78% were supportive or very supportive of the need for a Roadmap. 78% of respondents were supportive or very supportive of the proposed carbon reduction trajectory, with targets set for 2030 and 2035 en route to becoming net-zero by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Many of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on climate change, published in June 2021, have been factored into the policies which, if approved, will shape how Jersey plays its part in tackling the climate emergency.
The policies in the Roadmap include:
- Providing financial support for Islanders to buy electric vehicles
- Ending the importation, registration and sale of petrol and diesel cars and small vans in 2030, in line with the UK (but allowing for existing petrol and diesel cars and small vans to be retained and repaired)
- Providing financial support for Islanders to upgrade to low-carbon heating systems
- Ending new oil, gas and coal boiler installations from 2026 (but allowing for existing boilers to be retained and repaired)
- Making Energy Performance Certificates mandatory so Islanders can better understand what they are renting or buying
- Creating a Carbon Neutral Network, a network of businesses and community groups to drive forward decarbonisation including provision of a small grants fund to stimulate local networks and innovation
Following the public consultation, the draft Roadmap has been adjusted in a number of ways. The changes include:
- The previously proposed vehicle scrappage incentive scheme has been removed
- A new policy has been added to further investigate the role of E10 and B7 road fuels
- A commitment has been made to work with other Channel Islands on offshore renewable energy projects
Assistant Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jess Perchard, said: “We have used a people-powered approach throughout the development of our policies, including the Climate Conversation, the Citizens’ Assembly and the public consultation.
“We received a large number of responses to the public consultation, demonstrating the importance the community places on tackling climate change in Jersey.
“I am proud to lodge this Carbon Neutral Roadmap as a robust and well-considered plan that will stand the Island in good stead to realise its net-zero ambitions.
“The policies which we are formally putting forward will require significant behavioural changes for many Islanders and local businesses. In particular, the ways in which we heat our homes and offices and the ways in which we travel will need to change. We have carefully considered how we can best help people to make these changes; we have committed to ensuring this Roadmap commits to a Just Transition, where the costs do not disproportionately fall on people on lower incomes or on those currently employed in carbon-heavy industries.”
Alongside the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, an analysis report summarising the findings of the public consultation has also been published.
The Roadmap will be debated by the States Assembly at the sitting which begins on 25 April 2022.
The Carbon Neutral Roadmap can be read here and the consultation document can be read here.
