GHG Emissions  -  April 28, 2021

U.K. Sets New Emissions Target: 78% Decrease by 2035

The U.K. government has announced the most ambitious emissions target in the world: eliminating 78% of the nation’s GHG emissions (compared to 1990 levels) by 2035. 

Parliament set this goal in the country’s sixth Carbon Budget. Building off former successful carbon budgets, this is the first to account for the U.K.’s international aviation and shipping emissions. It accelerates the nation’s previous 2050 commitment of 80% reductions by almost fifteen years; now, the U.K.’s new commitment is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. A third of the U.K.’s largest businesses have already pledged to eliminate their emissions by that time. 

Currently, the U.K. has already reduced its GHG gases by over 44% since 1990 and is on track to reduce 68% of them by 2030. The sixth Carbon Budget will limit emissions between 2033-2037 and will be enshrined in law by the end of June 2021. 

“We want to continue to raise the bar on tackling climate change, and that’s why we’re setting the most ambitious target to cut emissions in the world,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a statement. “The UK will be home to pioneering businesses, new technologies and green innovation as we make progress to net zero emissions, laying the foundations for decades of economic growth in a way that creates thousands of jobs."

He added, “We want to see world leaders follow our lead and match our ambition in the run-up to the crucial climate summit COP26, as we will only build back greener and protect our planet if we come together to take action.”