Climate Change Isle of Man

Over the last century, the Earth’s average temperature has risen by almost 1-degree centigrade. Although this doesn’t sound much, it is already contributing to more severe and less predictable weather conditions worldwide.

For example, on the Isle of Man, we have been experiencing severe winter flooding, summer heatwaves, increasing erosions, and so much more.

On a global scale, we will see an increase in the frequency of extreme weather such as floods, droughts, storms, and hurricanes.

As a response to climate change, over 190 nations (nearly every nation in the world) have committed to the Paris Agreement, which sets a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

As a responsible nation, the Isle of Man has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. This is vital to protect our environment and our community and to safeguard our continued prosperity.

The Isle of Man Government’s Action Plan for Achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050 – Phase 1, unanimously approved by Tynwald members in January 2020 and informed by Professor Curran’s independent report, sets out the Island’s plan for carbon neutrality.

What does this mean to you?

We - every Island resident, Government department, business, third sector organisation across the whole of the Isle of Man - all have to work together to achieve net-zero.

It will be a complex journey, as we will need to change the way we currently live, including how we travel, consume energy, eat, heat our homes and buildings, and look after our environment. It is also crucial that we ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are not left behind.

To keep up-to-date on climate change action on the Isle of Man, please like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, and subscribe to receive email communications from us

Climate Change Plan consultation

The Climate Change Bill, delivered as part of the First Phase Action Plan, becomes law later this year. It requires a statutory five-year Climate Change Plan to be in operation at all times, ensuring a clear direction for the Island to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The draft Climate Change Plan for 2022 – 2027 has recently been published, and highlights a wide range of topics and actions critical to tackling climate change. This includes: electricity generation, transport, energy use in buildings, agriculture, business, waste management, natural carbon removal, community engagement, and finance, all of which will impact individuals and businesses on the Island.

Find out more about the plan on our Climate Change Plan Consultation.

Future energy generation

Electricity generation is responsible for approximately 33% of all greenhouse gas emissions on the Isle of Man, and currently, a majority of this is from fossil fuels (natural gas).

Electricity demand is predicted to grow in the future, as more residents will move to using electricity to heat homes and to power cars. So without changing the source of electricity generation, it is not possible to reduce carbon emissions in other sectors, making electricity generation a crucial area of focus for the Island to reach net zero by 2050.

The first strategic report highlighting five potential pathways to Net Zero for electricity generation on the Isle of Man has been completed in partnership with Ove Arup. A supporting information pack has been produced detailing the findings and the background to the findings.

A presentation on the outcomes of the report was delivered to members of Tynwald on 30 July 2021.

For more information about the Future Energy Scenarios report visit our designated page.

What is net-zero?

Net-zero means achieving a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere and the carbon removed from it.

This balance – or net zero – will happen when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed.

What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. They let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere.

Overall, greenhouse gases are a good thing. Without them, our planet would be too cold, and life as we know it would not exist. But there can be too much of a good thing.

Human activities add too much of these gases to the atmosphere and causing the average temperature to increase by almost one centigrade.