UK set to raise emissions targets
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce fresh targets to reduce the country's carbon emissions ahead of the COP26 summit to be held this November in Glasgow.
Reports are coming in about the plan to cut the UK's carbon emissions by 78% from 1990 levels by 2035, with its goal of becoming net-zero by 2050 still standing.
Read more: Net-zero transition at top of the agenda in G7 talks, says UK
The UK has already committed to a number of climate initiatives in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, including committing to powering all UK homes using wind energy by 2030.
The UK government has also laid out plans to ban the sale of all-petrol or diesel vehicles by 2030, something which has garnered support within the automotive sector in order to help push the energy transition.
This is something that has also been followed by other countries, such as Portugal, which have suggested similar bans.
These new emissions targets come just short of a US climate summit on Thursday, where US President Joe Biden is expected to outline new national climate goals for decarbonisation.
The UK's goals are already considered among the most ambitious in the developed world, and these new targets are considered even more so.
Read more: Portugal proposes total ban on diesel and petrol cars by 2035
However, there are still concerns among analysts that many of the climate initiatives will still not be enough to meet the goals as set out by the Paris Climate Agreement.
Furthermore, it was reported in March that global carbon emissions had returned to pre-pandemic levels, potentially highlighting the importance of net-zero efforts as part of general pandemic recovery.
To achieve its goals the UK will need to set out a set of smaller targets.
The first is a carbon-neutral electricity grid, which may be accomplished through the UK's commitment to wind energy.
The second major target may be the overall reduction of dairy and meat consumption in the nation. Climate experts have been warning about the environmental impact of cattle rearing and have called for climate taxes in the past.
Other miscellaneous goals include low-carbon heating and the planting of more woodland, according to a briefing by the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
Climate experts have reportedly drawn up legislation that could enshrine the Paris Agreement into law and get the government to commit to producing a plan to achieve its goals.
They presented these plans to the Prime Minister on Monday.
Its new goals should put it in line with the CCC if confirmed.
The UK was among the first major economy to commit to a net-zero goal by 2050. The US is expected to adopt similar positions under Biden.
Read more: EU's 2030 climate goals still require significant investments
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said that ministers would be making an announcement "shortly".
A spokesperson said: "We will set our ambition for carbon budget six shortly, taking into account the latest advice from the Climate Change Committee."
The summit's president, Alok Sharma, told parliament last week: “We are working very hard to ensure that we have an in-person physical COP, taking into account, of course, any Covid-related contingencies. I don’t sense any desire among parties for a further postponement."
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