Tougher targets for UK CO2 emissions
September 25, 2008
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told the Labour Party Conference that he is ready to adopt much tougher targets for the reduction of UK greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, the target is to cut emissions by 60% by 2050, but the Prime Minister announced that he is ready to substantially increase this target to 80%.
Mr Brown wants to "end the dictatorship of oil and avert catastrophic climate change" by transforming the way energy is used.
He will be asking the Climate Change Committee to carry out a feasibility study within the next month on whether this proposed reduction in CO2 emissions is achievable. This would allow the new recommendation to be included in the Climate Change Bill which is before Parliament at present.
Mr Brown said that a rising global population was producing a greater demand for energy. He added, "I want British companies and British workers to seize the opportunity and lead the world in the transformation to a low carbon economy".
Mr Brown claimed that one million new jobs could be created in the areas of modern green manufacturing and service.
The tough new targets for CO2 emissions were welcomed by Greenpeace and the WWF.
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