This green and pleasant stand
PM: We’ll pollute less than economies like us Cuts target by 2030 rises from 53% to 68%
BORIS Johnson has promised to slash greenhouse gas pollution at a faster rate than any other big economy in an attempt to hit net zero emissions by 2050.
The PM has raised the target to reduce emissions from at least 53% to 68% by 2030 – significantly higher than the European Union’s 40% goal.
Britain is required to set a target under the terms of the Paris climate agreement, which it signed in 2015.
The pledge comes before Glasgow hosts COP26, the international climate change talks, in November.
Business and Energy Secretary and COP26 President Alok Sharma said the target “reflects the scale of the challenge our planet faces” and urged other countries to “raise the bar”.
Laurence Tubiana, of the European Climate Foundation, said the move would help seek more ambitious action from “the US, China and other major economies”.
MEANINGLESS
It follows last month’s 10-point plan for cutting emissions which included a ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars from 2030.
Ed Matthew, of the Climate Coalition, said the 68% was in line with net zero by 2050. But he said: “A more ambitious cut is necessary.”
Rachel Kennerley, of Friends of the Earth, said: “It’s meaningless to set targets for 10 years in the future without action to deliver cuts now.”
Experts say more action is needed to decarbonise homes, with heating accounting for 14% of emissions.
This will require a switch from gas boilers to heat pumps. It is understood the government is considering moving a ban on gas boilers in new homes from 2025 to 2023.
What does the ban on petrol and diesel cars, as well as gas boilers, mean for you? Here we explain the benefits, concerns and the help you can receive via government grants.