UK sets new climate target in law

In line with the recommendation from the Climate Change Committee, the government’s sixth Carbon Budget limits the volume of greenhouse gas emissions over a five-year period from 2033 to 2037. It aims to take the UK more than three-quarters of the way to reaching net zero by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts toward 1.5°C.

This carbon budget will also incorporate the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions for the first time, government announced. 

Previously, the commitment was to reduce emissions in 2030 by at least 68 per cent compared to 1990 levels through the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution — the highest reduction target made by a major economy to date. The new target builds on this and will become enshrined in law by the end of June 2021.

Business and Energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said in a statement that the announcement means a low carbon future is 'now in sight'.