Call for UK emissions to be cut by 80%

UK greenhouse gas emissions should be cut by at least 80 per cent in the next 40 years, the Government's climate change committee says.

Committee chairman Adair Turner has written to new Energy and Climate Change secretary Ed Miliband saying the reduction should apply across all sectors of Britain's economy and is achievable and affordable.

The committee said a more stringent target than the 60 per cent cut currently in the Climate Change Bill is needed, because new information suggests the dangers of global warming are greater than previously thought.

Lord Turner said the tougher target is "challenging but feasible" and said it could be achieved at a cost of 1 per cent to 2 per cent of GDP in 2050.

Additionally, a cut of 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050 should cover all emissions - not just carbon dioxide - and all sectors of the UK economy including shipping and aviation, he said.

However, emissions from international transport coming into the UK should not be included in the Bill's five-yearly carbon budgets because of practical problems in allocating them.

He said the overall target should be "at least 80 per cent", with greater reductions in sectors covered by the Bill if aviation and shipping do not make sufficient cuts by mid-century.

Lord Turner said: "Climate change poses a huge potential threat to human welfare. If we do not act soon in developed and developing countries, it will become too late to avoid serious and potentially catastrophic consequences.

"That is why it is so vital that a global deal is reached on climate change and that the UK contributes significantly towards this.

"But we have the potential to reduce our emissions by 80 per cent or more by using energy far more efficiently, by investing in developing new energy sources and by making relatively minor lifestyle changes."

Mr Miliband, who was appointed to the role of Energy and Climate Change Secretary on Friday when the new department was created in the Cabinet reshuffle, said he welcomed the report.

"We need to act now to avoid dangerous climate change and the action we take must be guided by experts. That's why we asked Adair Turner to examine the level of our target," he said, adding: "This is a pressing issue and we'll respond to the recommendations swiftly."

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