In a letter to the government, Britain’s climate experts, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), suggested that the government should commit to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035 in its upcoming budget next month, since 1990 the UK has already reduced its emissions by more than 50%.
The government would seriously consider the CCC’s suggestions, the spokeswoman said. If the government accepted the suggested 81% target, it would greatly advance the UK’s present international promise to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030. By 2050, the UK’s mandated carbon reduction plan is anticipated to reach net zero emissions.
Environmental organisations have called on the UK to bring in international aviation and shipping (IAS) emissions, which can be excluded in accordance with the UN convention, as part of its plans to go beyond the CCC’s recommendations.
There is hope that a new agreement will be negotiated about the allocation of funding to poorer countries to assist them in addressing climate change, as wealthy nations share a significant portion of the blame. In line with its leadership goals, the CCC demands that the UK make its fair share of financial commitments. Additionally, the government should better prepare for the effects of rising temperatures at home, according to the report.
According to UN rules, these numbers exclude emissions from imported and manufactured goods, as well as from shipping and foreign flights.The UK has made significant strides in cleaning up power thus far, but other areas, including home heating, have proven more difficult.
However, the CCC is hopeful that the UK can still achieve its goals.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband received a letter from the independent advisory group stating that the goal is “ambitious, deliverable and consistent” with the emission reductions required for the nation to reach its own legally-mandated quota on the amount of carbon it can release between 2033 and 2037.
This comes after Mr. Miliband requested the committee earlier this year for advice on setting the UK’s next Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emissions target, which is being held in Azerbaijan in November.
Nigel Topping who is a member of CCC told BBC News Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, “All the core technologies have got cheaper, and they keep getting cheaper, and that’s what gives us more and more confidence that we’ll be able to achieve this very ambitious level of emissions reductions.”
