The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has presented a new pathway to decarbonise the UK by 2050, with transport, logistics, and supply chains playing a critical role in achieving these targets.

According to the committee's latest report, surface transport will account for 27% of emissions reduction by 2040, making it the largest contributor to the UK's decarbonisation efforts.

Electric vehicles are at the forefront of this transition, with the CCC noting that "EV sales have a measurable effect in reducing emissions."

“This trend is expected to accelerate as prices fall and adoption increases, with the report projecting that "fully electric options accounting for nearly all new car and van sales by 2030 and making up over three-quarters of the fleet on the road by 2040."

The report emphasises the importance of supply chain readiness, particularly for residential heating systems.

The CCC states that "supply chains and the workforce of trained installers for low-carbon heating should scale up through the 2020s" to meet increasing demand.

This principle applies across sectors, suggesting that robust supply chains will be essential for the timely deployment of low-carbon technologies in transport and logistics.

For the logistics sector, these changes represent both challenges and opportunities. The transition to electric vehicles will require significant infrastructure investment, particularly in charging networks.

However, the CCC highlights that these investments will ultimately lead to cost savings, with household driving bills predicted to be approximately £700 cheaper by 2050.

"Our analysis shows that there is no need to pitch action on climate change against the economy," said Professor Piers Forster, Interim Chair of the CCC.

"We will need Government and business to deliver the investment, but we are confident that this Seventh Carbon Budget offers a secure, prosperous future for the UK."

The committee recommends removing barriers to installing charge points and providing market certainty to encourage investment in low-carbon transport solutions.

It also stresses the importance of building skilled workforces to support the transition, particularly in industries that will undergo substantial changes in their supply chains.