While there are many out there who still choose to question the science behind global warming, the recent Stern Report, which was commissioned by the UK government to look at the economic consequences of climate change, is in no doubt that failure to tackle carbon emissions will wreak economic havoc.

The Review estimates that if we don’t act, the overall costs and risks of climate change will be equivalent to losing at least 5% of global GDP each year. If a wider range of risks and impacts is taken into account, the estimates of damage could rise to 20% of GDP .

It is not just economic catastrophe that we will have to contend with if no action is taken. Greenhouse gas concentrations could reach double pre-industrial levels as early as 2035, committing us to a global average temperature rise of over 2°C. In the longer term, there would be more than a 50% chance that the temperature rise would exceed 5°C. Even as it is, the costs of extreme weather such as floods, droughts and storms are already rising.

The Stern Report rightly calls for concerted action on increased energy efficiency, changes in demand and the adoption of zero carbon technologies. The cost of mitigating the worst aspects of climate change can be limited to around 1% of GDP each year.

So far, the government has failed to go far enough. With the current year’s funding for domestic renewable energy already used up, funds have had to be raided from elsewhere in the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (page 9). The ECA is not alone in calling for more action to remove price and other barriers between customers and zero carbon energy sources. Let’s see if this Stern warning has the desired effect.

Andrew Brister, Editor

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Electrical and Mechanical Contractor