PM sets ambitious target to cut emissions by 68%

The Prime Minister has announced a new target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030. 

The PM has said this target is among the highest in the world and would see the UK cutting its emissions at the fastest rate of any major economy so far.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of the UK co-hosting the Climate Ambition Summit on December 12, which will coincide with the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

Boris Johnson said: ‘We have proven we can reduce our emissions and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process – uniting businesses, academics, NGOs and local communities in a common goal to go further and faster to tackle climate change.

‘Today, we are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030, faster than any major economy, with our Ten Point Plan helping us on our path to reach it.

‘But this is a global effort, which is why the UK is urging world leaders as part of next week’s Climate Ambition Summit to bring forward their own ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net-zero targets.’

However, climate campaigners have criticised the plan after the Prime Minister previously pledged over £127bn to the HS2 and new roads, and just £1bn to retrofitting homes.

Rachel Kennerley, a climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth, commented on the announcement: ‘The Prime Minister is keen to talk about this being a global effort which is helpful because it makes us think about what we are doing globally, too. And right now, we are funding a climate-wrecking gas mega-project in Mozambique that is adding to civil unrest.

‘It’s convenient omissions like this that show today’s announcement is only half the story.

‘The government is pouring billions into dirty oil and gas projects not just abroad but with eye-wateringly expensive and polluting roadbuilding in the UK. And just last week it cut the crucial aid that underpins climate action worldwide.

‘The Prime Minister has recognised that we’ve been driving the climate crisis for longer than most other countries and so it’s right we lead on the solutions. This means cutting emissions at home, stopping financing oil and gas projects, and boosting our investments in a rapid and fair shift to clean energy worldwide.”