SGR Response to a UK government consultation

SGR argues that the UK government's approach to climate change is too cautious and fails to challenge the unsustainable nature of economic growth. The organization advocates for a 'Contraction and Convergence' model for global emissions, a shift in taxation from labour to resource use, and the complete replacement of fossil fuels and nuclear power with renewables. SGR specifically criticizes the government's reliance on 'accounting tricks' for non-CO2 gases, the lack of restrictions on air travel, and the potential dangers of climate engineering technologies.

• SGR argues that to stabilise CO2 concentrations at current levels, an immediate 60% reduction in global emissions is necessary, which would reduce the average per capita emission from one tonne to 0.4 tonnes per year.
• The organization supports the 'Contraction and Convergence' model from the Global Commons Institute, which proposes that total global emissions gradually contract to a safe level (such as 450ppmv) and converge to equal per capita emissions by a date such as 2045.
• SGR considers the UK government's voluntary target to reduce emissions to 20% below current levels by 2010 to be too small and criticizes the government's refusal to introduce measures that might damage economic competitiveness.
• The document claims that the government's projected emissions reductions for Methane and Nitrous Oxide are 'accounting tricks' because they rely on one-off gains from abatement technology rather than changing the processes that create the emissions.
• SGR advocates for a total transition in energy supply, calling for the complete replacement of fossil fuels and nuclear power with renewables, and specifically demands that energy from waste be reclassified as separate from renewables like wind, solar, and hydro.
• The response criticizes the aviation sector's tax loopholes and the government's promotion of regional airports, suggesting that taxes and charges on emissions should be introduced to force a reduction in air travel.
• SGR opposes the use of 'climate engineering technologies' and the creation of carbon sinks through forestry if it involves planting on peaty areas (which releases Methane) or creating large single-variety plantations.

APA

Scientists for Global Responsibility (1999). SGR Response to a UK government consultation. https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/uk-climate-change-strategy-sgr-response-feb-1999

Chicago

Scientists for Global Responsibility. SGR Response to a UK government consultation. 1999. https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/uk-climate-change-strategy-sgr-response-feb-1999.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Scientists for Global Responsibility |title=SGR Response to a UK government consultation |date=February 1999 |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/uk-climate-change-strategy-sgr-response-feb-1999 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{scientistsforglobalresponsibility1999sgr, author = {{Scientists for Global Responsibility}}, title = {{SGR Response to a UK government consultation}}, publisher = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, year = {1999}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/uk-climate-change-strategy-sgr-response-feb-1999}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }