UK Climate Committee advises heat pumps in half of homes by 2040

The UK's Climate Change Committee (CCC) has proposed that half of homes install heat pumps by 2040, as part of the country's commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The CCC's latest report emphasizes a need for 1.5 million heat pump installations annually by 2035, alongside a shift to electric vehicles, reduced meat consumption, and increased cycling and walking. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband acknowledged the recommendations, highlighting the importance of energy security and addressing climate change. The CCC estimates that one-third of emissions cuts needed by 2040 must come from households adopting low-carbon technologies. Critics of the net zero policies have voiced concerns, labeling the report's recommendations as excessive and economically burdensome. Overall, the CCC's plan is positioned as a necessary step towards a significant industrial transformation in the UK.