The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. This means that the total greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to the emissions removed from the atmosphere, with the aim of limiting global warming and resultant climate change. The UK Government has adopted a suite of policies in order to reach net zero.
Its most recent strategy document, published under the Labour Government, is the 2025 Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan. In 2025, further funding for measures to decarbonise the economy and meet net zero was announced in the Spending Review. The government published its revised plan for meeting the UK’s net zero target, the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, on 29 October 2025. This plan sets out how the government would meet the emissions reductions for carbon budgets four to six (2023 to 2037).
This briefing “The UK’s Plans and Progress to Reach Net Zero by 2050” published by the United Kingdom House of Commons Library provides an overview of the background context for net zero, headline policies since 2020, and current progress towards this goal. It gives a breakdown of current net zero policy by some of the key sectors, including stakeholder commentary on this progress.
Access the briefing here