The UK’s official advisory Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has recommended that the UK target emittings virtually no greenhouse gases by 2050 and become a world leader in reaching this target.
The CCC target includes flying and shipping and all greenhouse gases, and allows no offsetting of emissions abroad, making it the toughest of any major economy. The CCC said it could prove a vital catalyst in unlocking matching pledges from other countries. The current plans of the world’s nations would lead to 3C of warming and catastrophic damage.
Even if all other countries followed suit there is still only a 50-50 chance that the increase in global temperature rise will not exceed 1.5oC by 2100.There are divided views over whether this is too long a target or if the economic costs of doing so that quickly would be too great.
The CCC’s recommendation was welcomed by many politicians, business leaders, energy and water companies, doctors and farmers. Some green groups, including WWF, called for zero emissions by 2045, while Extinction Rebellion activists have said 2025. The CCC said the 2050 date could be brought forward if good progress was made.
There are separate targets for the constituent countries of the UK. Scotland will be expected to reach the target by 2045 if all the measures like tree planting are implemented. Wales will be given an additional 5 years because of its farming. There is no separate target as yet for Northern Ireland because of the suspension of the devolved government so will have the 2050 target date.