Government commits to 87% cut in UK’s climate emissions by 2040

The government has agreed to accept the recommendation of its advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), and committed itself to a legally binding target to cut carbon emissions by 87 per cent (based on 1990 levels) by 2040. 
MPs are expected to vote on the proposal, which was laid before Parliament today. 

Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: 

"Extreme heat and record-breaking temperatures in May, more frequent and severe flooding, wildfires and drought – this is already the reality of the climate crisis in the UK.

“Cutting carbon emissions is vital to help avert the worst impacts of climate change, but it’s also our best opportunity to grow the economy, create jobs, deliver cheap homegrown energy and improve lives with warmer homes, better bus services and cleaner air.  

"The alternative approach – advocated by some politicians who are set on mimicking Trump’s climate denial – will leave the UK hooked on expensive gas, exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis, harm nature and commit future generations to climate chaos. 

“Ordinary people will benefit from climate action done well, the only people to benefit from abandoning climate action are fossil fuel companies and the mega-rich.”  

Ends

Notes to editors

Under the Climate Change Act, the government must set a series of carbon budgets (a limit on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the UK over a five-year period). These budgets act as ‘stepping stones’ towards meeting the UK’s long-term 2050 target (net zero greenhouse gas emissions).

Although the government has announced the size of the seventh carbon budget, it does not include the policies the government intends to put in place to meet it. The government’s plan for achieving CB7 is expected within the next two years.

Friends of the Earth is calling for the government to commit to cutting energy bills, make sure climate policies fairly support lower-income households, involve the public in policy decisions, guarantee a just transition for workers, and avoid approving new high-carbon infrastructure that could undermine climate targets such as Heathrow expansion or large numbers of data centres.

Reducing emissions will not only help tackle the climate crisis but also strengthen the UK’s energy security and reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. Recent spikes in gas and oil prices in the wake of the latest Middle East crisis have underscored the urgency of ending the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels by investing in the UK’s huge renewable energy resources, energy storage and energy efficiency.