{ "schemaVersion": 2, "lastUpdated": "2026-07-01", "product": { "workingName": "UK Climate Progress Tracker", "productFrame": "UK Transition Dashboard", "routeTarget": "/progress/uk-climate-progress-tracker/", "status": "active", "plannedPublicData": { "json": "/assets/data/progress-dashboard-metrics.json", "csv": "/assets/data/progress-dashboard-metrics.csv", "sourceJson": "data/progress-dashboard-metrics.json", "sourceCsv": "data/progress-dashboard-metrics.csv" } }, "methodology": { "summary": "The dashboard tracks article-backed UK climate progress metrics using official or primary sources where possible. Status labels are plain-language markers, not scores.", "scoringNote": "No numeric index should be launched until at least three dashboard updates have tested the cadence, source reliability and maintenance burden.", "updateCadence": { "monthlyDashboardUpdate": "Refresh the dashboard monthly when live, including the page date, JSON export, CSV export and any metric whose source has changed.", "weeklyLightCheck": "Check weekly for new source releases, but update the public page only when a tracked source or interpretation changes.", "outOfCycleUpdate": "Update immediately after material source revisions, major policy or delivery changes, broken source URLs or reader-reported data issues." }, "statusLabels": { "improving": "The latest data shows clear positive movement on the relevant transition metric.", "mixed": "The direction is partly positive, but a major delivery question or sector split weakens the result.", "lagging": "The metric is materially behind the relevant pathway or target.", "watch": "A policy, funding route or delivery process has moved, while the measured outcome is still catching up.", "data_pending": "A useful metric exists, but the latest source is stale, incomplete or not yet reviewed." } }, "summary": { "metricCount": 11, "overallStatus": "mixed", "overallLabel": "Mixed", "overallNote": "Clear gains in power, charging and smart meters; delivery gaps remain elsewhere.", "improving": 3, "mixed": 7, "lagging": 0, "watch": 1, "dataPending": 0 }, "release": { "currentRelease": "2026-07-01", "releaseLabel": "July 2026 tracker update", "whatChanged": [ "Started the public tracker with eleven source-backed Progress checks.", "Added active travel as a short-trip transport metric using the latest Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy report.", "Added flood defence protection as an adaptation and resilience metric.", "Updated the electricity generation metric with Q1 2026 Energy Trends data.", "Published public JSON and CSV endpoints so readers can reuse the tracker data." ] }, "metrics": [ { "id": "clean-power-generation", "section": "Clean power", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Renewable electricity share", "latestValue": 53.1, "unit": "% of UK electricity generation", "displayValue": "53.1%", "periodCovered": "Q1 2026 provisional", "baselineValue": 6.9, "baselinePeriod": "2010", "changeSummary": "Renewables rose from about 6.9% of UK generation in 2010 to 53.1% in the first quarter of 2026. Coal generation was zero in 2025 and in the first quarter of 2026.", "status": "improving", "direction": "up", "interpretation": "Clean electricity is now large enough to lead the UK generation mix in strong quarters.", "limit": "Gas still generated 32.3% of UK electricity in the first quarter of 2026, and quarterly weather, nuclear availability and flexibility decide how durable the progress becomes.", "nextTest": "Next Energy Trends quarterly update and whether gas generation falls in absolute terms without reliability problems.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK Energy Trends electricity statistics", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electricity-section-5-energy-trends", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-electricity-generation-mix-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-electricity-generation-mix-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-30", "reviewTrigger": "Next Energy Trends quarterly update, full-year 2026 release or material revision to 2025 generation figures.", "sourceCadence": "quarterly", "geography": "UK", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "provisional", "downloadCitation": "UK renewables supplied 53.1% of electricity generation in Q1 2026, according to GOV.UK Energy Trends data checked by The Planet Brief on 30 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "sparkline", "label": "Renewable generation share", "unit": "%", "points": [ { "label": "2010", "value": 6.9 }, { "label": "2025", "value": 52.5 }, { "label": "Q1 2026", "value": 53.1 } ] } }, { "id": "grid-connections-reform", "section": "Grid delivery", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Faster grid connection offers", "latestValue": 39, "unit": "GW offered faster or new dates before 2030", "displayValue": "Around 39GW", "periodCovered": "June 2026 NESO first-stage results", "baselineValue": null, "baselinePeriod": null, "changeSummary": "NESO says around 39GW of generation and storage projects across more than 530 projects have been offered faster or new connection dates before 2030.", "status": "watch", "direction": "process_signal", "interpretation": "The grid queue is starting to be reorganised around projects needed before 2030.", "limit": "Connection offers are not connected capacity, and the climate value depends on projects reaching operation.", "nextTest": "Whether future batches convert reform into dated, deliverable projects that actually connect.", "sourceName": "NESO Connections Reform Results", "sourceUrl": "https://www.neso.energy/industry-information/connections-reform/connections-reform-results", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-grid-connections-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-grid-connections-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "reviewTrigger": "Next NESO connections reform update or Clean Power 2030 delivery update.", "sourceCadence": "irregular", "geography": "Great Britain", "sourceType": "system operator", "confidence": "process milestone", "downloadCitation": "NESO said around 39GW of generation and storage projects had been offered faster or new connection dates before 2030, checked by The Planet Brief on 26 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "signal", "label": "Projects offered faster or new dates", "value": 39, "unit": "GW", "note": "Connection offers are not connected capacity." } }, { "id": "battery-storage-capacity", "section": "Flexibility and storage", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Operational battery capacity", "latestValue": 4.75, "unit": "GW operational", "displayValue": "About 4.75GW operational", "periodCovered": "April 2026 REPD extract", "baselineValue": null, "baselinePeriod": null, "changeSummary": "Operational plus under-construction UK battery capacity is about 12.04GW, compared with the Clean Power 2030 battery range of 23GW to 27GW.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "up", "interpretation": "Battery storage is now part of the clean-power delivery system, but operating capacity is still well short of the 2030 range.", "limit": "The planning queue is much larger than the target, but not all queued projects will be built, financed or correctly located.", "nextTest": "Whether under-construction capacity converts into operating projects during 2026 and 2027.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK Renewable Energy Planning Database quarterly extract", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-quarterly-extract", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-battery-storage-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-battery-storage-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-25", "reviewTrigger": "Next REPD quarterly extract or Clean Power 2030 battery-capacity update.", "sourceCadence": "quarterly", "geography": "UK", "sourceType": "official planning database", "confidence": "high", "downloadCitation": "The UK had about 4.75GW of operational battery capacity and 7.29GW under construction in the April 2026 REPD extract, checked by The Planet Brief on 25 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "target_bar", "label": "Operating and under-construction capacity against the lower 2030 range", "current": 12.04, "target": 23, "targetHigh": 27, "unit": "GW", "segments": [ { "label": "Operational", "value": 4.75 }, { "label": "Under construction", "value": 7.29 } ] } }, { "id": "zev-car-registrations", "section": "Transport electrification", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Zero-emission car registration share", "latestValue": 23.1, "unit": "% of new car registrations", "displayValue": "About 23.1%", "periodCovered": "January to May 2026", "baselineValue": 20.4, "baselinePeriod": "January to May 2025", "changeSummary": "Zero-emission car registrations reached 220,819 in January to May 2026, up from 177,645 in the same months of 2025.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "up_below_target", "interpretation": "EV sales progress is real, but the public market-wide share is still below the 2026 mandate level.", "limit": "The 2026 ZEV mandate target for cars is 33%, and zero-emission vans remain further behind their target.", "nextTest": "Whether year-end zero-emission car share moves closer to 33% and van registrations rise materially.", "sourceName": "Department for Transport faster indicators of transport activity", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/developing-faster-indicators-of-transport-activity", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-ev-sales-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-ev-sales-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-25", "reviewTrigger": "Next Department for Transport faster-indicator vehicle-registration update.", "sourceCadence": "monthly", "geography": "UK", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "provisional", "downloadCitation": "Zero-emission cars were about 23.1% of new UK car registrations from January to May 2026, compared with a 33% 2026 mandate target, checked by The Planet Brief on 25 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "target_bar", "label": "New car share against the 2026 ZEV mandate target", "current": 23.1, "target": 33, "unit": "%" } }, { "id": "public-ev-chargers", "section": "EV infrastructure", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Public EV chargers", "latestValue": 121262, "unit": "public EV chargers", "displayValue": "121,262", "periodCovered": "1 June 2026", "baselineValue": 108530, "baselinePeriod": "1 June 2025", "changeSummary": "The UK public charger count rose by 12,732, or about 11.7%, from June 2025 to June 2026. Chargers rated 50kW or above rose by about 17.2%.", "status": "improving", "direction": "up", "interpretation": "Public charging is growing while EV sales rise, and faster chargers are growing more quickly than the total count.", "limit": "Regional coverage, charger reliability and the rapid or ultra-rapid mix decide how useful the network feels.", "nextTest": "Whether the next update restores regional data and shows growth outside the strongest areas.", "sourceName": "Department for Transport monthly public EV charger data", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/developing-faster-indicators-of-transport-activity", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-ev-charging-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-ev-charging-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-25", "reviewTrigger": "Next Department for Transport monthly public EV charger update.", "sourceCadence": "monthly", "geography": "UK", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "provisional", "downloadCitation": "The UK had 121,262 public EV chargers on 1 June 2026, up from 108,530 a year earlier, checked by The Planet Brief on 25 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "sparkline", "label": "Public EV charger count", "unit": "chargers", "points": [ { "label": "Jun 2025", "value": 108530 }, { "label": "Jun 2026", "value": 121262 } ] } }, { "id": "active-travel-short-trips", "section": "Active travel", "dashboardTier": "secondary", "metricName": "Short urban journeys walked or cycled", "latestValue": 42.8, "unit": "% of short journeys", "displayValue": "43%", "periodCovered": "2024", "baselineValue": 42.2, "baselinePeriod": "2013", "changeSummary": "Department for Transport data shows 42.8% of short journeys in English towns and cities were walked or cycled in 2024, rounded to 43% in the report summary.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "large_share_slow_growth", "interpretation": "Walking and cycling already carry a large share of short urban journeys in England.", "limit": "The share has moved only modestly since 2013, and safety, school routes and connected local networks decide whether the next increase becomes easier.", "nextTest": "Whether the next National Travel Survey and Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy update show the short-trip share moving closer to the 50% 2030 aim.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy report to Parliament 2026", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cycling-and-walking-investment-strategy-report-to-parliament-2026", "relatedArticle": "/progress/england-active-travel-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "england-active-travel-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-07-01", "reviewTrigger": "Next Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy progress report, National Travel Survey update or material Active Travel England delivery update.", "sourceCadence": "annual", "geography": "England", "sourceType": "official statistics and progress report", "confidence": "high", "downloadCitation": "The Department for Transport reported that 42.8%, rounded to 43%, of short journeys in English towns and cities were walked or cycled in 2024, checked by The Planet Brief on 1 July 2026.", "chart": { "type": "target_bar", "label": "Short urban journeys walked or cycled against the 2030 aim", "current": 42.8, "target": 50, "targetHigh": 55, "unit": "%" } }, { "id": "heat-pump-grant-demand", "section": "Buildings and heat", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications", "latestValue": 130988, "unit": "voucher applications", "displayValue": "130,988 applications", "periodCovered": "To end May 2026", "baselineValue": null, "baselinePeriod": null, "changeSummary": "The Boiler Upgrade Scheme had received 130,988 applications and paid 84,879 redemptions by the end of May 2026. May 2026 applications were about 19% higher than May 2025.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "up_conversion_needed", "interpretation": "Low-carbon heating demand is visible, but completed installations remain the harder part.", "limit": "Applications, issued vouchers and paid redemptions measure different stages, and the scheme is still small relative to the housing stock.", "nextTest": "Whether higher application demand converts into completed installations and sustained monthly redemptions.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/boiler-upgrade-scheme-statistics", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-heat-pump-rollout-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-heat-pump-rollout-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-25", "reviewTrigger": "Next Boiler Upgrade Scheme monthly statistics release.", "sourceCadence": "monthly", "geography": "England and Wales", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "high", "downloadCitation": "The Boiler Upgrade Scheme had received 130,988 applications and paid 84,879 redemptions by the end of May 2026, checked by The Planet Brief on 25 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "conversion", "label": "Applications to paid redemptions", "start": 130988, "end": 84879, "unit": "applications and redemptions" } }, { "id": "uk-territorial-emissions", "section": "Economy-wide emissions", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "UK net territorial emissions", "latestValue": 367, "unit": "MtCO2e", "displayValue": "367MtCO2e", "periodCovered": "2025 provisional figures", "baselineValue": null, "baselinePeriod": "1990", "changeSummary": "UK net territorial greenhouse gas emissions were provisionally estimated at 367MtCO2e in 2025, down 2% from 2024 and 54% below 1990.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "down_with_sector_risk", "interpretation": "The long-run UK emissions fall is real, but the next reductions are harder than the early power-sector shift.", "limit": "Domestic transport rose in 2025, and buildings, land, agriculture and aviation remain harder to move quickly.", "nextTest": "Whether final 2025 figures confirm the provisional estimate and transport emissions start falling again.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK provisional UK greenhouse gas emissions statistics 2025", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/provisional-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-statistics-2025", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-emissions-reductions-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-emissions-reductions-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-24", "reviewTrigger": "Final 2025 greenhouse gas emissions release or major Climate Change Committee update.", "sourceCadence": "annual", "geography": "UK", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "provisional", "downloadCitation": "UK net territorial greenhouse gas emissions were provisionally estimated at 367MtCO2e in 2025, 54% below 1990, checked by The Planet Brief on 24 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "reduction", "label": "Emissions compared with 1990", "baseline": 100, "current": 46, "unit": "index, 1990 = 100" } }, { "id": "flood-defence-protection", "section": "Adaptation and resilience", "dashboardTier": "core", "metricName": "Properties better protected from flooding", "latestValue": 61898, "unit": "properties better protected", "displayValue": "61,898 properties", "periodCovered": "2024/25 to 2025/26", "baselineValue": 52000, "baselinePeriod": "two-year programme target", "changeSummary": "The Environment Agency says 61,898 homes and businesses were better protected from flooding across 2024/25 and 2025/26, beating the 52,000-property target by 9,898.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "above_target", "interpretation": "Flood adaptation is showing up in completed defences, repairs and local protection work, not only risk assessments.", "limit": "Better protected does not mean flood-proof, more than 6 million properties in England remain at risk, and asset maintenance decides how durable the protection is.", "nextTest": "Whether the 2026/27 programme converts more than 600 funded projects into completed schemes and improved asset condition.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK and Environment Agency flood protection updates", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/better-flood-protection-target-exceeded", "relatedArticle": "/progress/england-flood-defence-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "england-flood-defence-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-30", "reviewTrigger": "Next Environment Agency flood and coastal erosion risk management update, asset-condition update or material programme revision.", "sourceCadence": "annual", "geography": "England", "sourceType": "official delivery update", "confidence": "high", "downloadCitation": "The Environment Agency said 61,898 homes and businesses were better protected from flooding across 2024/25 and 2025/26, checked by The Planet Brief on 30 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "target_bar", "label": "Properties better protected against the two-year target", "current": 61898, "target": 52000, "unit": "properties" } }, { "id": "smart-meter-working-base", "section": "Demand and household intelligence", "dashboardTier": "secondary", "metricName": "Smart and advanced meters in use", "latestValue": 41089000, "unit": "meters", "displayValue": "41.1m", "periodCovered": "End March 2026", "baselineValue": null, "baselinePeriod": null, "changeSummary": "Great Britain had 41.1m smart and advanced meters in homes and small businesses, with 38.0m operating in smart mode or counted as advanced meters.", "status": "improving", "direction": "up_working_base_visible", "interpretation": "The meter rollout is now material household energy infrastructure.", "limit": "About 3.061m smart meters were still operating in traditional mode, so reliability and trust remain central.", "nextTest": "Whether the next quarterly release shows total rollout and smart-mode operation improving.", "sourceName": "GOV.UK Smart meters in Great Britain quarterly update March 2026", "sourceUrl": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/smart-meters-in-great-britain-quarterly-update-march-2026", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-smart-meter-rollout-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-smart-meter-rollout-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-29", "reviewTrigger": "Next quarterly smart meter statistics release, currently scheduled for 2026-08-27.", "sourceCadence": "quarterly", "geography": "Great Britain", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "high", "downloadCitation": "Great Britain had 41.1m smart and advanced meters at the end of March 2026, with 38.0m operating in smart mode or counted as advanced, checked by The Planet Brief on 29 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "split_bar", "label": "Smart-mode or advanced meters", "unit": "million meters", "segments": [ { "label": "Smart mode or advanced", "value": 38.029 }, { "label": "Traditional mode", "value": 3.061 } ] } }, { "id": "low-carbon-economy-turnover", "section": "Low-carbon economy", "dashboardTier": "secondary", "metricName": "Low-carbon and renewable energy economy turnover", "latestValue": 77, "unit": "£bn turnover", "displayValue": "£77bn", "periodCovered": "2024", "baselineValue": null, "baselinePeriod": "2015", "changeSummary": "ONS estimates UK LCREE turnover reached £77bn in 2024, up 91.3% from 2015. Employment was 304,000 FTEs, down 13,000 or 4.1% from 2023.", "status": "mixed", "direction": "up_turnover_jobs_down", "interpretation": "Low-carbon activity is now a large UK business category, but turnover growth is not the same as broad employment growth or emissions delivery.", "limit": "The figures are survey-based, employment fell in the latest year and low-carbon turnover is not direct proof of emissions cuts.", "nextTest": "Whether the next ONS update shows turnover growth alongside stable or rising employment.", "sourceName": "ONS Low carbon and renewable energy economy, UK: 2024", "sourceUrl": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/bulletins/finalestimates/2024", "relatedArticle": "/progress/uk-low-carbon-economy-progress-2026/", "articleOwner": "uk-low-carbon-economy-progress-2026", "lastChecked": "2026-06-29", "reviewTrigger": "Next ONS LCREE release or methodology update.", "sourceCadence": "annual", "geography": "UK", "sourceType": "official statistics", "confidence": "survey estimate", "downloadCitation": "ONS estimated UK low-carbon and renewable energy economy turnover at £77bn in 2024, up 91.3% from 2015, checked by The Planet Brief on 29 June 2026.", "chart": { "type": "sparkline", "label": "Low-carbon economy turnover", "unit": "£bn", "points": [ { "label": "2015", "value": 40.3 }, { "label": "2024", "value": 77 } ] } } ] }