Miliband increases greenhouse gas emissions target
Thursday, 16 October 2008 12:00 AM
Ed Miliband has today committed the UK to cutting greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
Speaking to MPs, the energy and climate change secretary said the government accepted recommendations made in the report from Lord Turner's committee on climate change.
He said that the government would not be scaling down climate change objectives during the difficult economic times and the target would be raised from the current 60 per cent.
"In our view, it would be quite wrong to row back and those who say we should misunderstand the relationship between the economic and environmental tasks we face," he said.
"We will amend the climate change bill to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, and that target will be binding in law. I hope all sides of the House will support this.
"Indeed, let me say I want to create as much of a consensus as we can on climate change.
"However, we all know that signing up to an 80 per cent cut by 2050 is the easy part. The hard part is meeting it, and meeting the milestones that will show we're on track."
Mr Miliband warned energy companies they face a crackdown on "unfair" pricing policies and said the government was willing to legislate to force the companies to introduce fairer pricing for customers with pre-payment meters.
Friends of the Earth welcomed today's announced but claimed it was disappointed that international aviation and shipping emissions would be dealt with voluntarily outside the climate change bill.
Friends of the Earth executive director, Andy Atkins, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Ed Miliband has committed the UK to cutting its emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 - this is what the science demands.
"However [Mr] Miliband's admission that pollution from international aviation and shipping will be dealt with outside the bill is a sign that these industries are being picked out for special treatment yet again.
"The committee on climate change made it clear that we have to reduce all carbon emissions by 80 per cent. We cannot leave the cuts in aviation and shipping emissions to chance.
"The government must listen to the concerns of the public and majority of MPs who want to see a law that covers all the UK's emissions."
Liberal Democrat spokesman for Wales Roger Williams added: "This move is welcome, but the government's continuing refusal to include aviation and shipping emissions in any meaningful way is bitterly disappointing.
"Targets are one thing, now we must continue to make sure we take the action that is needed to cut emissions."
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