Environment Minister "fully supportive" of plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 - Jersey Evening Post
by Julien Morel · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Environment Minister “fully supportive” of plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
by Julien Morel 24 July 202623 July 2026
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THE new Environment Minister has said that she is “fully supportive” of the government’s ‘Carbon Neutral Roadmap’ – which is the Island’s approved route to meeting an international commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Senator Mary Le Hegarat said reducing our reliance on fossil fuels would make the Island more resilient to global shocks.
And, she added, the evidence of climate change was there for all Islanders to see in the form of heatwaves, warming seas, more invasive species and increasing pressure on Jersey’s sea defences, which was going to cost millions of pounds to strengthen.
She said: “Some people have said that the Carbon Neutral Roadmap is pointless and unaffordable but I am absolutely clear in my view that it is the right thing to do.
“I will also be realistic and pragmatic when it comes to costs but also fight for funding when it is needed. This is an investment: using less fossil fuels will save every household money.”
The new minister made her pledge to support the roadmap as new figures reveal that greenhouse gas emissions fell in Jersey by 1% between 2023 and 2024.
The latest annual audit of Jersey’s gas emissions found that Jersey emitted 342,589 tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2024 – around five times the weight of the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
Road transport and heating buildings continue to be the biggest causes of Jersey’s emissions, with road vehicles accounting for almost 27% of Jersey’s total emissions, and fossil fuel car journeys specifically accounting for 25%.
Between 2023 and 2024, road transport emissions fell by almost 3%. Heating and cooling homes and businesses account for just over 28% of Jersey’s total emissions. Shipping and aviation represent over 21% of Jersey’s 2024 emissions, with emissions from domestic flights increasing by more than 4%.
Senator Le Hegarat said the Island was making process on its journey to carbon neutrality, pointing out that the number of pure petrol and diesel registrations was now under 50% of vehicles for the first time, with electric and hybrid vehicles now forming the majority.
The Carbon Neutral Roadmap, agreed by the States in 2022, has an objective of Jersey achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 – something the Island has committed to by signing up to the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The roadmap’s first implementation phase was due to conclude at the end of 2025 but that was extended to the end of this year. It has included launching incentive schemes for people to switch to electric cars and boilers.
However, a key tenet of the plan – a ban of the registration of new and used petrol and diesel cars from 2030 – was shelved by the last Environment Minister, Steve Luce after consulting with the motor trade and wider public.
At the start of this year, the Climate Emergency had an opening balance of around £5.4m to fund carbon neutrality initiatives. The fund is topped up by around £4m a year from fuel duty and vehicle emissions duty.
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