Theresa May commits to net zero UK carbon emissions by 2050

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Theresa May has sought to cement some legacy in the weeks before she steps down as prime minister by enshrining in law a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, making Britain the first major economy to do so.

The commitment, to be made in an amendment to the Climate Change Act laid in parliament on Wednesday, would make the UK the first member of the G7 group of industrialised nations to legislate for net zero emissions, Downing Street said.

Environmental groups welcomed the goal but expressed disappointment that the plan would allow the UK to achieve it in part through international carbon credits, something Greenpeace said would “shift the burden to developing nations”.

Last week No 10 dismissed claims from the chancellor, Philip Hammond, that such a target would cost £1tn and could thus require spending cuts to public services.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/11/theresa-may-commits-to-net-zero-uk-carbon-emissions-by-2050

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BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48596775

There are plenty of details to think about - this includes using international carbon offsets, which some say shouldn't be used in such accounting. The current target was an 80% cut from 1990 levels. Labour has already proposed it; the Confederation of British Industry has given its support too. I think it's a significant event.

[True Dough]

1. I wish we knew

what state the world will be in by 2050 and whether even zero carbon emissions -- if achieved by then -- would truly make a difference.

[ansible]

2. What good will this do when China can simply ignore this?

They can pollute as much as they want and nobody can stop them.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. A lot.

You can't just say "but they're polluting, so we'll do nothing until they stop". That way, no one would ever do anything. May pointed out that the UK led the world in starting to use fossil fuels, so it's right to be at the forefront of stopping.

[Demon Dem]

4. "in the weeks before she steps down as prime minister....."

Isn't she already gone?

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. She's resigned as party leader, so they've started the selection of a new one

but she's still holds the national office of PM until they've chosen another one. Think of it like the time between a general election and an inauguration or start of a new Congress.

[Demon Dem]

6. I See

Thanks for the explanation!