Net zero will only be possible if we start implementing measures now. We can’t wait until 2050. For example, fitting all houses with low-carbon heating, or switching all vehicles away from fossil fuels will take many years and require adequate supporting infrastructure.
All three scenarios that meet net zero see the power sector, led by wind and solar, reaching zero emissions in the early 2030s. A zero carbon electricity supply then contributes to decarbonising heat and transport sectors via electrification (even under System Transformation). Heat, road transport and hydrogen production all see zero or almost zero emissions by 2050, with meaningful emissions reduction levels by 2030 for all three scenarios, but especially Leading the Way. Decarbonisation on the scale and rate seen by any of these three scenarios will require changes not only at a national scale but also on a business and individual level.
These changes will include government policy to promote mass consumer uptake of energy efficiency measures and to drive the transition away from ICE vehicles. Within the industrial and commercial sectors, businesses will be required to invest in energy efficiency measures whilst industry utilises a combination of fuel switching (electricity and hydrogen) and CCUS for those processes which still require natural gas. At an individual level, consumers will need to be more engaged with their energy use, both in terms of how they consume energy (e.g. switching to low carbon heating technologies and EVs) and when they consume it (using "time of use tariffs" when possible, without penalising those who can’t).
Previous analysis suggests that the cost of the energy system out to 2050 only varies a small amount between scenarios, including between those which do and don’t reach net zero. This indicates that technology choices do not impact costs significantly. However, analysis did find that costs are kept lower when consumers are engaged, energy efficiency is pursued, and we have negative emissions in the energy sector.