Updated Policy Brief assesses progress towards Jersey’s 2030 carbon emissions target

The Policy Centre Jersey has published an updated version of its Carbon Neutral Roadmap Policy Brief following the release of Jersey’s latest greenhouse gas emissions data.

The revised Brief reviews progress towards Jersey’s climate objectives, assesses the effectiveness of current policy measures and examines whether the Island remains on course to meet its statutory emissions reduction targets.

The analysis concludes that Jersey’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 68% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels, is no longer achievable on the current trajectory.

When the States Assembly approved the Carbon Neutral Roadmap in 2022, achieving the 2030 target required average annual emissions reductions of around 6%. The latest emissions data shows emissions fell by 1% in 2024. Based on current progress, achieving the 2030 target would now require average annual reductions of around 7.5% each year until 2030.

The updated Policy Brief concludes that the measures introduced to date have not delivered emissions reductions at the scale required. It notes that incentives to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and low-carbon heating systems have had limited impact, while the continued freeze in fuel duty has reduced incentives to lower fossil fuel consumption.

The Brief highlights the importance of ensuring that long-term policy objectives are supported by credible delivery plans and policy measures capable of delivering the intended outcomes.

The updated 23-page Brief includes analysis of:

• Jersey’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• The Island’s greenhouse gas emissions profile.
• The Carbon Neutral Strategy and Carbon Neutral Roadmap.
• Delivery plans and implementation.
• The Climate Council’s recommendations.
• Transport policy.
• Energy policy.
• Financing arrangements.
• Progress towards the 2030 emissions reduction target.

The Carbon Neutral Roadmap Policy Brief is one of more than 30 Policy Briefs published by the Policy Centre Jersey, providing independent, evidence-based analysis of major public policy issues affecting the Island. Each Brief is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect new evidence, published data and policy developments.

Read the updated Policy Brief: https://www.policy.je/papers/carbon-neutral-roadmap/