Boris leads world in saving the planet
BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday told the planet that fighting climate change is not just about politically correct “bunny hugging”.
On Earth Day he urged world leaders to join forces to cut carbon emissions, and told them that tackling the crisis would create jobs and boost economies across the globe.
Mr Johnson warned that hitting radical new targets for cutting greenhouse gases was not going to be easy. But he said investing in green technology and making environmental changes will allow the world to “build back better” following the pandemic.
Speaking at a virtual climate summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, Mr Johnson encouraged other countries to follow the UK’s lead by setting ambitious goals to protect the environment.
He said: “If we’re going to tackle climate change, we have to deal with the disaster of habitat loss and species loss across our planet.
“We’ve got to be consistently original and optimistic about new technology and develop new solutions.”
He added: “I’m not saying any of this is going to be easy and there is obviously going to be a political challenge. It’s vital for all of us to show that this is not all about some expensive, politically correct, green act of bunny hugging, or however you want to put it.
“There’s nothing wrong with bunny hugging but you know what I’m driving at. This is about growth and jobs...We can build back better from this pandemic by building back greener.”
Mr Johnson has vowed to cut UK emissions by 78 per cent by 2035 – the toughest target in the world.
He said the UK had already reduced levels set in 1990 by 42 per cent and the economy has grown by 73 per cent. And he assured the summit: “You can do both at once. ‘Cake, have, eat’ is my message to you.”
The PM added: “Let’s use this extraordinary moment and the incredible technology that we’re working on to make this decade the moment of decisive change in the fight against climate change. “And let’s do it together.” President Biden – leader of the world’s second worst polluter after China – announced he wants to cut US greenhouse gas emissions by at least half of 2005 levels by 2030.
Analysts said the move is “major progress” but is still not enough to bring the US in line with international climate goals, as its target is estimated to be a 41-44 per cent reduction on 1990 levels.
Investment
However Mr Biden told the summit: “The signs are unmistakable. The science is undeniable. The cost of inaction keeps mounting.
“The United States isn’t waiting. We are resolving to take action – not only our federal government, but our cities and our states all across our country, small business, large corporations, American workers in every field.”
He added: “All of us, particularly those who represent the world’s largest economies, have to step up.
“Those that do take action and make bold investments in their people, in clean energy futures, will win the good jobs of tomorrow and make their economies more resilient and more competitive.”
Japan unveiled a new 2030 target, aiming to cut emissions by 46 per cent on 2013 levels – up on its earlier goal of 26 per cent – to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga said the country would try to push the reduction to 50 per cent.
The EU agreed a new climate law, which includes a goal to cut its emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, based on 1990 levels.
As part of diplomatic efforts in the lead-up to the summit, the US and China issued a statement pledging to work together and with other countries on the issue.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping said wealthy nations should do more to help the developing world tackle climate change.
He said China will “prioritise” ecological conservation and “will strive” to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. And he
vowed: “We will strictly control coal-fired carbon power projects, we will strictly limit the increase in coal consumption.”
Russian leader Vladimir Putin said his country already “makes a gigantic contribution” by absorbing about 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
But he also stressed the importance of slashing methane emissions, which have a significantly stronger global warming effect than carbon dioxide – and asked others to join the fight.
Mr Putin said: “We invite all those interested countries to join collaborative scientific research to jointly invest in climate projects that can make a difference. Russia is genuinely interested in galvanising international co-operation.”
Mr Johnson last year unveiled a 10-point green plan for efforts to cut UK emissions.
The Government rejected calls from experts to make Britons change their diets to food that is lower in meat and dairy.
But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng yesterday said: “I’m certainly reducing my meat consumption, not only for environmental reasons but also for health reasons. Maybe I can move to a full vegan diet at some point.”