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Government's Climate Committee calls for tougher climate target
7 October 2008
The Government is under intense pressure to strengthen its proposals for a new climate change law after its Climate Change Committee called for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 80 per cent by 2050. The committee also said that the cuts must come from all sectors of the economy - including international aviation and shipping emissions too.
Friends of the Earth - which has been leading the The Big Ask campaign for a climate change law - welcomed the Committee's advice and called on the Government to strengthen its proposed legislation.
Friends of the Earth's Executive Director, Andy Atkins, said:
"The committee's advice is fantastic news - climate change is the biggest threat the planet faces."
"If we are to play our part in avoiding a climate catastrophe, the new climate law must require future governments to slash UK emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050."
"The climate change law is a trail-blazing piece of legislation - but the Government must now strengthen the Bill to help make Britain a world leader in developing a low carbon economy."
"But we cannot afford to ignore pollution from international aviation and shipping - that would be like going on a calorie-controlled diet and ignoring the calories from chocolate bars."
"The Bill currently has a loophole allowing future Government to continue to ignore these emissions - Ministers must act to close it."
Notes
The Climate Change Bill - which is currently passing through Parliament - originally set a 60 per cent carbon reduction target. But following increasing scientific evidence that much bigger cuts are needed, the Government asked the Committee on Climate Change to make a recommendation to Ministers about the scale of action required.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Oct 2008
