Analysis of the effects of Brexit on the Uk’s ability to achieve the climate change act’s target for 2030

Abstract

Purpose: This paper evaluates the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU) and how this will influence the emissions output.

Methodological approach: Relationships between emissions and empirical generalizations related to the UK's departure from the EU were detected through an extensive literature review adopting an inductive approach. The Delphi methodology was used to collect the opinions of experts via semi-structured interviews from where themes were identified with the use of Nvivo. Finally, a triangulation was made by synthesizing the qualitative data with the literature to determine the impacts of the UK's departure from the EU on emissions.

Findings: The work provides evidence that the UK’s decision to leave the EU will have multiple detrimental long-term consequences for the achievability of the fifth carbon budget.

Research limitation: This study considers the opinion of a limited group of experts, and consequently, more in-depth research is required to better assess the wider range of variables and perspectives affecting the current decision-making process and policy related to the UK's environmental commitments

Originality and value: Under the current eclectic dynamic surrounding Brexit, a plethora of distorted empirical studies addressing its consequences have emerged. This work provides a comprehensive overview of a largely understudied set of opinions and an analysis of possible consequences Brexit poses. The paper opens a debate and invites new perspectives to be included in an increasingly neglected contemporary issue, and it contributes as a reference for the future discussion of environmental policy in the UK.