The IMPACT report
In 2019, Professor James Curran MBE*, was commissioned to write an independent report, which set out a range of ambitious options for the Isle of Man to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Phase One Action Plan
Informed by Professor Curran’s report, the Isle of Man Government’s Phase One Action Plan was published on the 9th January 2020, and detailed a range of tangible actions to ensure the 2050 net zero carbon achievement.
Climate Change Act
The Climate Change Act commits the current Government and future administrations, to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The Act also gives public bodies a statutory duty to contribute to the net zero target and recompenses several pieces of existing legislation in order to facilitate the delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan.
A fundamental element of the Climate Change Act is its clear statutory framework for climate change planning and reporting. To ensure progress, the Act requires the creation of a five yearly report, outlining the net zero initiative’s progress, along with a full account of the achievements met to that date. The first of these statutory five year plans is required by April 2022. This would include a detailed account on how emissions have been affected by any implemented measures. The Act requires that at least one interim emissions target be set by 2022.
Climate Change Transformation Team
In September 2020, a new Climate Change Transformation Team was established within the Isle of Man Government’s Cabinet Office. This team has been tasked with delivering the current Climate Action Plan; working closely with other Government Departments and the wider community to achieve the Plan’s objectives, both short and long term, in the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The team's work is led by the Climate Change Transformation Board, chaired by the Chief Minister and includes a further five Ministers, with independent advice provided by Professor James Curran.
Please see the Climate Change Programme and projects here.
Climate Change Plan
The Climate Change Act requires a statutory five year Climate Change Plan to be in operation at all times, ensuring a clear direction for the Island to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The draft Climate Change Plan for 2022 – 2027 has recently been published, and highlights a wide range of topics and actions that will impact both residents and businesses on the Isle of Man, and are critical to tackling climate change. These include:
- electricity generation
- transport
- energy consumption in buildings
- agriculture
- business
- waste management
- natural carbon removal
- community engagement.
*Professor James Curran MBE is currently the Chair of Glasgow’s Climate Ready Clyde initiative, former Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and former Chair of the James Hutton Institute (a leading environmental research institute).