My 2050 - Create your pathway to a low carbon UK by 2050

Learners investigate pathways to reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050 using this model. Created by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, it is a model of the UK's energy system. Learners choose their ‘levels of ambition’ for decarbonising different parts of the energy system, and the calculator then shows how their choices affect UK emissions expressed as ‘carbon dioxide equivalent’ (CO2e). It is an opportunity for learners to discuss the alternative paths. 

Royal Meteorological Society climate change content quality mark

< 30 minutes
KS4

Preparation

What you need 
  • access to computers/ devices
  • the My 2050 webpage
Location

Indoors

Resources

Step by step

  1. Learners investigate the My 2050 modal. There is a more detailed version at Mackay carbon calculator.
  2. Information about the modal, and the scientific data used can be found carbon calculator guidance page. 

Curriculum links

This activity can be used to support curriculum knowledge and skill development in Chemistry and Geography, alongside enhancing nature education, with age appropriate adaptations.

What to try next

Preview of a worksheet against a grassy meadow

Prepare for mapping your site

Begin activity
Carbon sinks and sources infographic

Solving the carbon dioxide problem

Begin activity
Royal society logo

What do you want to know about biodiversity loss?

Begin activity