Cross-party politicians call to hit zero-carbon target before 2050

A CROSS-PARTY group of politicians are calling on the Government to set a target to cut overall greenhouse gas emissions to zero before 2050.

Some 132 MPs and 51 peers have signed a letter organised by Conservative MP Simon Clarke urging the Prime Minister to strengthen the UK’s long-term climate target, which currently requires emission cuts of 80 per cent by mid-century.

The politicians say a tougher target, in line with the UK’s commitments to tackle climate change under the global Paris Agreement, will put the country “at the forefront of the race for investment in clean industries”.

They want to see a goal of “net zero” emissions, which means pollution is cut to as near to zero as possible and any remaining emissions are taken out of the atmosphere by measures such as planting trees, set for before 2050.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, they argue implementing a net-zero emissions target for before 2050 will cut bills by improving energy efficiency, get rid of polluting exhaust pipe emissions and protect UK woodlands and wetlands.

Signatories include Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, former Labour leader Ed Miliband, shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey and former Tory cabinet ministers Justine Greening, Damian Green and Nicky Morgan. Mr Clarke is handing in the letter to Number 10 today with a delegation including Labour’s Mary Creagh and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.