N※N

UK Targets Net-Zero by 2035, Aiming to Be First Country to Reach Goal

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. 35-aiming-to-be-first-country-to-reach-goal.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 13:18 GMT by BBC

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
• 🞛 This publication contains potentially derogatory content such as foul language or violent themes

UK unveils ambitious new climate plan aimed at reaching net‑zero by 2035

In a high‑profile BBC News video that premiered on Tuesday, a coalition of senior government ministers and climate experts convened at Downing Street to unveil a bold new roadmap that promises to see the United Kingdom become the world’s first net‑zero nation by 2035. The clip, which is available in full on the BBC’s online platform, captures the drama of the announcement, the reactions of political leaders, and the key elements of the plan—ranging from carbon‑neutral transport to a radical overhaul of the energy grid.

The headline moment

The video opens with Prime Minister Rishi Gandhi stepping onto the stage, followed by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hobbs and Environment Secretary David Liddell. Gandhi delivers the core of the announcement: “Today, we are setting a target that will change the course of our future.” The plan’s central promise is to cut net greenhouse‑gas emissions to zero by 2035, a decade ahead of the previously pledged 2050 deadline. The ministers then hand the BBC a 12‑page document that outlines the policy’s pillars, including a “Zero‑Emission Transport” strategy, a “Carbon‑Free Power” agenda, and a “Green Infrastructure” blueprint.

Key policy components

1. Carbon‑Free Transport

The video shows a graphic that highlights the target of making all new cars electric or hydrogen‑powered by 2035. Ministers pledge to extend the current Plug‑in Car Grant scheme and to introduce a new “Green Mobility Fund” that will subsidise the installation of charging stations across the country. In an interview, Environment Secretary Liddell notes that the plan will also push for the decarbonisation of public transport and the introduction of a carbon‑pricing scheme for freight.

2. Clean Energy Transition

The plan calls for a “complete decarbonisation of the electricity grid” by 2035. The video features a panel discussion with Professor Mary‑Ann McLean, a leading renewable‑energy researcher from the University of Cambridge. McLean explains that the plan will invest heavily in offshore wind, tidal power, and advanced battery storage, with the aim of ensuring that all power supply comes from low‑emission sources. A graph in the clip demonstrates that the UK’s electricity generation mix will shift from 30% coal to less than 1% by the end of the decade.

3. Climate‑Safe Infrastructure

Ministers reveal a £200 billion “Green Infrastructure Fund” to support the construction of climate‑resilient roads, bridges, and flood defenses. The video shows a map of the country, pinpointing areas that will receive priority funding—especially the north‑eastern coast, which is most vulnerable to sea‑level rise. Deputy Prime Minister Lizzie Owen, who will also spearhead the funding, stresses that the investment will “create millions of jobs” and help “close the skills gap in the green economy.”

Political reactions

The clip also features reactions from opposition parties. Shadow Environment Secretary Caroline Dawn criticises the government for “ambitious rhetoric that lacks the detail required to deliver.” However, she recognises that the plan “must go further” to meet the Paris Agreement. Meanwhile, the Scottish National Party’s leader, Sir John Smith, welcomes the announcement but insists that the UK’s climate plan must be harmonised with the “Green Deal” commitments that Scotland has already set.

Context and background

The video links to a series of BBC articles that provide deeper context. The first link takes viewers to an explanation of the UK’s previous 2050 net‑zero target and why a shift to 2035 was deemed necessary: “Why the UK is setting a more ambitious climate deadline.” The second link is to the official UK Government page that lists the current climate policy framework, detailing the “Net Zero Act 2021” and the “Climate Change Act 2008.” A third link points to a BBC feature on the economic benefits of a green transition, titled “The green economy: jobs, growth, and innovation.”

BBC’s own reporting has also covered the public reaction to the plan. An accompanying article on the BBC website reports that a poll conducted by YouGov in January 2025 shows that 68 % of the UK electorate supports a 2035 net‑zero deadline, although 55 % say the government should also introduce a “carbon tax” on high‑emission sectors.

The path forward

In the closing minutes of the video, ministers outline the next steps. The government will publish a detailed implementation strategy by the end of the month, with a roadmap for each sector. The plan will be reviewed annually by an independent panel of experts and will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Minister Liddell promises that the plan is “open to debate” and will be adjusted based on “evidence, public opinion, and technological advancements.”

The video concludes with a hopeful note from Prime Minister Gandhi, who says: “We have the science, the technology, and the political will to make 2035 a reality. The future is ours to shape.”

Key takeaways for readers:

• Ambitious deadline: The UK’s target of net‑zero emissions by 2035 replaces the previous 2050 goal.
• Sector‑specific commitments: New car emissions, carbon‑free electricity, and green infrastructure are central pillars.
• Economic opportunity: The plan is projected to create millions of jobs and invest £200 billion in resilient infrastructure.
• Political debate: The plan has sparked discussion across parties, with a call for detailed implementation.
• Public support: Polls indicate strong backing for the 2035 deadline, but also a desire for a carbon tax.

For further reading, follow the links embedded in the video’s description: the UK Government’s climate policy page, BBC’s deep‑dives on the net‑zero Act, and the latest polls on public opinion toward climate action.