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Zero-carbon power bigger than fossil fuels in UK

Zero-Carbon Fuels - Level 4

The UK is working towards a greener planet. For the first time since the Industrial Revolution, more of the UK's energy is from zero-carbon fuels than fossil fuels. In 2019, fossil fuels produced less than half of the UK's electricity. A decade ago, three quarters came from fossil fuels. A "tipping point" has been reached and the UK will get more and more power from wind, solar, nuclear and hydro sources. The UK will use less coal, oil and gas.

The UK said the use of more renewables was a "key milestone on the journey towards net zero". It said zero-carbon power should increase to 90 per cent by the 2030s and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It would be the first major economy to do this. An analyst said the milestone was because of engineers who solved the technical problems of climate change. He said jobs will be lost in fossil fuel industries and created in low-carbon industries.

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Zero-Carbon Fuels - Level 5

The UK is playing its part in working towards a cleaner and greener planet. For the first time since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, more of the UK's energy is from zero-carbon fuels than fossil fuels. In each of the first five months of 2019, fossil fuels produced less than half of the UK's electricity. A "tipping point" has been reached and the trend of using more zero-carbon energy sources than fossil fuels will continue. Power from wind, solar, nuclear and hydro sources will outstrip coal and gas. A decade ago, three quarters of the UK's electricity came from fossil fuels.

The UK's energy chief executive said the use of more renewables was a "key milestone on the journey towards net zero". He said the zero-carbon share should increase to 90 per cent by the 2030s. The UK's Prime Minister said the UK would reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The UK would be the first major economy to do this. An energy analyst told the BBC that the milestone was a tribute to technologists who solved the technical problems of climate change. He said net zero means jobs will be lost in fossil fuel industries and created in low-carbon industries.

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Zero-Carbon Fuels - Level 6

The United Kingdom has said it is playing its part in striving for a cleaner and greener planet. For the first time since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, the UK is being powered more by zero-carbon fuels than fossil fuels. In each of the first five months of 2019, fossil fuels have produced less than half of the UK's electricity. Analysts say a "tipping point" has been reached and the trend of zero-carbon energy sources providing more power than fossil fuels will continue. Power from wind, solar, nuclear and hydro sources outstripped coal and gas-fired generation. A decade ago, three quarters (75.6 per cent) of the UK's electricity came from coal and gas, and only 22.3 per cent was zero carbon.

The switch to more zero-carbon power was described by the UK's energy chief executive as a "key milestone on the journey towards net zero". CEO John Pettigrew said the zero-carbon share should increase to 90 per cent by the 2030s. The UK's Prime Minister Theresa May has made a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This would make the UK the first major economy to do so. Energy analyst Tom Burke told the BBC: "Today's landmark is a real tribute to technologists. We have cracked technical problems of dealing with climate change." He added: "As we move towards net zero, jobs will be lost in fossil fuel industries and created in low-carbon industries."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson