Net zero plans making good progress, minister says

Minister for the Environment Steve Luce said the latest report demonstrates "good progress"

A carbon neutral roadmap progress report shows Jersey continues to make "good progress" on its way to becoming net zero, the environment minister has said.

Officials said the roadmap, approved by the States in 2022, sets the policies to put the island on a pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

Minister for the Environment Steve Luce said the latest report demonstrates "good progress" over the past two years.

He said Jersey "continues to move in the right direction" but the move towards net zero would "need considerable resourcing".

The Government of Jersey committed to spend £23m from the Climate Emergency Fund over the first four years from 2022 to 2025.

Deputy Luce said: "Islanders may well remember that these policies stem from the declared climate emergency in 2019, the citizen’s assembly on climate change and subsequent carbon neutral strategy."

The government said since the roadmap began, it had launched an e-bike grant scheme as well as electric vehicle purchase and electric vehicle charger incentives.

It said the purchase incentive provides up to £3,500 towards the purchase of an electric vehicle that is new to the island, up to a maximum vehicle value of £40,000.

A low carbon heating incentive was launched in May 2023 to support islanders to switch from oil or gas to low carbon alternative heating systems.

Mr Luce said he was "encouraged", but the move needed to be supported, adding work was under way to "develop a net zero financing strategy, which will require additional sources of revenue".