Abstract:

The Great Recession and a sluggish economic recovery were instrumental in meeting the legally binding climate change targets that the UK has set for itself. But without more drastic policy interventions, it is unlikely that future targets will be met – unless the more extreme forecasts for the impact of Brexit on economic activity are realised. What’s more, most Brexit scenarios would see the UK leaving the European Union’s emissions trading system (EU ETS), which is a key instrument of climate policy all over Europe, including the UK. And deeper, not less, integration with European energy markets is going to be an important route to keeping power prices lower. These are among the conclusions of a new report from the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) – the latest in a series of background briefings on key policy issues and manifesto promises in the June 2017 UK general election.

Download Press Release