Carbon-free countries

We all have to applaud the United Kingdom for declaring a wish to have zero net emissions by 2050.

This will require a concerted strategy from energy to waste as well as huge investment. It may well accelerate economic growth rather than slow it down.

The proof will, of course, be whether or not the target is actually achieved. Some would argue that it should be sooner rather than later.

Nevertheless, we should not overlook the altogether mightier ambition of Costa Rica in Latin America. Although, far smaller, Cost Rica has:

• since 2014 derived 99% of its energy from renewable resources

• including 2 periods of more than 2 months each relying 100% on renewable energy;

• in June 2017 set a target of eliminating all single-use plastic by 2021 and

• in summer 2018 agreed a goal of becoming completely carbon-neutral by 2021.

This would make it the first country in the world to go carbon-free.

Where one goes, others will surely wish to follow.