Reacting to news that the government has ruled out using surplus emissions cuts to meet future climate targets, Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said:

“Ministers are right not to roll over surplus emissions cuts, but let’s not pretend this government is addressing the climate emergency with anything like the speed and determination required.

“The reality is that the UK’s legally binding carbon reduction targets and its international commitment to cut emissions by over two thirds by 2030 are both off track and are likely to be missed with current policies.

“Earlier this month the High Court ruled that the government’s climate action plan was not fit for purpose, following legal challenges by Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth and Good Law Project, and ordered that it be rewritten within a year.

“Ministers must ensure the new plan delivers our climate goals and enables the UK to seize the huge economic benefits that developing a green economy will bring.”