Boris Johnson will vow to cut carbon emissions by nearly 78 per cent
Boris Johnson will vow to cut carbon emissions by nearly 78 per cent – but the pledge relies on us eating less meat and adapting our homes
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to pledge to reduce carbon emissions
- The deeper cuts would see reductions of 78 per cent on 1990 levels by 2035
- Mr Johnson will announce the move ahead of a climate summit in the US
- Comes as Britain prepares to host the UN climate conference later this year
Boris Johnson will pledge to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 80 per cent in a ramping up of his climate ambitions.
The deeper cuts – which will see reductions of 78 per cent on 1990 levels by 2035 – will be confirmed in the coming days.
The Prime Minister will announce the move ahead of a climate summit in the US where President Joe Biden is due to outline a new national goal for his own country.
It comes as Britain prepares to host the UN climate conference COP26 later this year.
Britain’s previous commitment had been to cut carbon emissions by 68 per cent by 2030 – already one of the most ambitious pledges worldwide.
It will require major changes to industry, farming and homes if he is to meet the goal, as well as planting more trees.
Boris Johnson (pictured) will pledge to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 80 per cent in a ramping up of his climate ambitions
A report by the Government’s independent advisory group, the Climate Change Committee, sets out the changes that the UK will need to make.
The document says suggests most factories and other industry will have to adapt and use power that doesn’t require carbon emissions, the Financial Times reported.
Farming will have to reform and people will have to consume less meat and dairy, as well as introduce low-carbon heating in their homes.
Ministers will have to plant more woodland to absorb emissions, and there will be a significant impact on aviation and shipping.
Mr Johnson has been determined to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions and the UK has pledged to reach net zero by 2050.
In November, the UK will host the COP26 conference and will try to convince smaller countries – as well as China and India – to cut fossil fuel use.
The US – which is expected to adopt a similar net zero target – rejoined the Paris Climate accord in January after Donald Trump pulled it out.
The Prime Minister will announce the move ahead of a climate summit in the US where President Joe Biden (pictured) is due to outline a new national goal for his own country
The COP26 conference has already been delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, and may face further delays or have to go virtual.
However, summit president and Tory MP Alok Sharma insisted last week that it would go ahead as planned.
The Prime Minister has been determined to meet ambitious climate targets, banning the sale of new petrol cars from 2030 and investing in green energy.
The new climate target, which will cover the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget (2033-2037), is in line with the recommendations that have been made by the Climate Change Committee.
The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy said: ‘We will set our ambition for Carbon Budget Six shortly, taking into account the advice from the Climate Change Committee.’
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