Energy Minister asks CCC whether UK should have 'net zero' CO2 target for UK economy
Tue 16 October 2018
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The energy minister Claire Perry has written a letter to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) to seek advice on a possible new zero emissions target for the UK economy. The move comes following calls by business leaders, including Prince Charles Corporate Leaders Group and a high-level international group known as 'The B Team' for governments to aim for net zero emissions by 2050 in order to reduce the chances of dangerous climate change.
The letter questions whether or not the UK’s current climate targets – that emissions must fall by at least 80% compared to 1990 levels by 2050 – must be reviewed, how emissions reductions could be realised from industry, the built environment, transport and agriculture, and the cost/benefit expectation in comparison to existing targets.
Claire Perry commented that, following the recent report from the IPCC, that the “evidence is clear” that further action must be taken on climate issues.
Perry said (quote from 'Current'): “The case for tackling climate change is more stark than ever before. This Green GB Week, we need everyone – the Government, businesses and communities – to renew their efforts to confront this global challenge head on while seizing one of the greatest industrial opportunities of our time.”
The letter, co-signed by Perry’s equivalent ministers in Scotland (Paul Wheelhouse) and Wales (Lesley Griffiths) asks that the CCC responds by March 2019.
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