Government confirms ambitious international carbon reduction target

Government confirms ambitious international carbon reduction target – Friends of the Earth reaction

•    But UK climate leadership undermined by Chancellor’s airport expansion plans - despite previously objecting to expansion in own constituency on climate grounds

The government has confirmed that it will cut UK emissions by 81% by 2035 (based on 1990 levels) as part of international efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

Under the Paris climate agreement, nations agreed to pledge cuts to their emissions every five years, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The UK’s 2035 NDC pledge, which was originally made by Keir Starmer at the UN climate summit in November last year, was welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

However, in recent days UK leadership on climate change has been undermined by Rachel Reeves’ plans to expand UK airports.

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

"In a new era of Trumpian politics, having a strong 2035 target is an important show of global climate leadership. But the Chancellor’s support for airport expansion, despite opposing the expansion of the Leeds-Braford Airport in her constituency on climate grounds, puts this leadership at risk.

“Unfortunately, Rachel Reeves has now left the Energy Secretary with the unenviable task of making the numbers add up in the climate plan he is legally obliged to publish this year. He will have to squeeze even greater emissions reductions from other parts of the economy - such as homes, industry and transport – and will need greater sums of money from the Spending Review to do so.

"With storms and floods battering the UK at an increasing rate, and weather extremes now driving destruction across every continent, it couldn't be more vital the UK matches its warm words with transformative action. That starts by ensuring we have an ambitious and credible climate plan, backed by the Treasury, that guarantees we deliver on our climate targets."

ENDS

Notes to editors:
1.   The UK's 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution can be viewed here