Theresa May commits to net zero UK carbon emissions by 2050 [View all]
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
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.
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