Government announces annual targets for carbon reduction

Feb 18 2008

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment announced today that the Government would set an annual target range for emissions reductions. He also said the Climate Change Committee would be asked to consider whether the 2050 target should be tightened up to 80 per cent.

Friends of the Earth Senior Parliamentary Campaigner Martyn Williams said:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement that it is going to set annual target ranges for cutting emissions in the new Climate Change Law. Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for annual targets to be included in the Law as a way of ensuring that the UK stays on track to meet its long term targets. And the findings of this review have brought us one step closer to a stronger and more effective climate law. We now hope that the Government will go all the way and make an upfront commitment to cutting emissions by at least eighty percent and ensure the law covers all emissions – including the UK’s share of emissions from international shipping and aviation.”

Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a strong climate change law through The Big Ask. A strong law must also: