LONDON – Britain will aim to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by more than two-thirds this decade, in what the government yesterday said would be the fastest reduction of any major economy.
The target to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, is part of legally binding plans for the country to become carbon neutral by 2050.
It comes as Britain prepares to co-host a December 12 Climate Ambition Summit and stages COP26, the United Nations’ annual climate gathering, in Glasgow next November.
“Today, we are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030, faster than any major economy,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.
“But this is a global effort, which is why the UK is urging world leaders as part of next week’s Climate Ambition Summit to bring forward their own ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net zero targets.”
Johnson last month unveiled plans for “a green industrial revolution” which he has boasted will create and support 250,000 jobs.
It includes banning petrol and diesel new vehicle sales, quadrupling offshore wind power, and scaling up hydrogen production capacity, all within the decade.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma, the COP26 president, said the new 2030 emissions target “reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge our planet faces”.
“I hope other countries join us and raise the bar at next week’s UN Climate Ambition Summit, and ahead of the COP26.” – AFP, December 4, 2020
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