Archived press release

Uk forced to increase cuts in carbon dioxide

11 March 2005

The UK Government has been forced to re-introduce stronger curbs on carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector after the European Commission warned that a revised Government plan (part of the EU emissions trading scheme) was illegal.

Friends of the Earth welcomed the move saying that more robust targets for industry could help to reduce UK emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 million tonnes between 2005 and 2008 and help get the Government's failing carbon dioxide reduction plans back on track. The environmental campaign group added that awarding fewer pollution permits to industry under the National Allocation Plan, would encourage innovation and benefit cleaner companies at the expense of inefficient polluting ones.

The Government approved and submitted its original plan in June last year. But in November it tried to submit a new plan which increased the number of pollution permits. Despite today's return to the original tougher plan, the Government says that still intends to continue challenging the EC over the issue.

The National Allocation Plan sets out how the UK will implement the EU emissions trading scheme - which creates a cap on emissions across the EU but allows companies to trade pollution permits. Those whose emissions are below the permitted level can sell the difference to companies that exceed their caps.

Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Bryony Worthington said:

“We are delighted that the Government has re-introduced proposals for sensible cuts in UK carbon dioxide levels. These cuts are essential for the UK to get back on track to meet its targets for tackling climate change, and crucial for developing cleaner business. Tony Blair has promised to put climate change at the top of the international agenda. Undermining EU plans to cut carbon dioxide is the wrong way to go about achieving this.”

Notes

The Government has promised to put climate change at the top of the international agenda this year during the UK's chairing of the G8 and Presidency of the EU. But despite UK Government promises to make significant cuts in carbon dioxide levels, emissions have not declined under Labour and it has admitted that it is not on track to meet its target of cutting emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent by 2010 from 1990 levels.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust