EAC warns on climate deal.
January 18, 2010
The Environmental Audit Committee has warned that, without a global emissions deal, UK action to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions could be rendered meaningless.
Nevertheless, the Committee argues that the UK should still cut emissions in order to demonstrate to the world that it is serious about securing a global agreement.
A report presents the results of the Committee’s examination of the progress made by the UK in meeting its own emissions reduction objectives over the five-year periods set out in the Climate Change Act 2008. It concludes that the UK is on course to meet the first budget (for 2008–12) as a consequence of the recession. The Committee has urged ministers to deliver the reductions promised and to put new measures in place to increase the rate of progress.
The Committee has also recommended increasing the emissions reduction target for 2020 from 34% to 42% with respect to 1990 levels. The UK originally pledged such a target provided the EU increased its overall objective as part of an ambitious international agreement, but the Committee thinks the UK should pursue this commitment anyway, once the country is on course to meet its current objectives.
The Committee makes the point that, unless it is prepared to act immediately, the UK will not be able to secure the competitive advantage it desires in a low-carbon economy. The Committee is convinced of the necessity for the UK to adopt a leading role in international negotiations in the wake of the climate summit at Copenhagen. It regards this as essential if the UK is to stand any chance of reversing global greenhouse gas emissions increases by 2020 and avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change.
Print this page