UK on target to tackle global warming, apparently

The UK is on target to exceed its Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent, according to a report.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has indicated that UK greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be around 23 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010, exceeding the Kyoto target of 12.5 per cent.

In a report to the United Nations, the department outlined its policies to help the UK almost double its emissions reductions targets.

It also highlighted long term measures to reduce climate change including the Climate Change Act, which requires the UK to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

The department stressed the importance of international agreements in reducing carbon emissions in its report.

It comes as officials prepare for a meeting on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, with discussions focusing on a successor for the existing Kyoto agreement.

Climate change minister Joan Ruddock said: “Our latest report to the UN shows what can be achieved when government, communities and business work together to reduce emissions.

“We already have significant achievements under our belt, but we know there is more to be done – we must continue to work urgently to reduce our emissions further and faster.”

She continued: “But our progress report tells those who claim there is no alternative to a high-carbon society: there is an alternative. We’re creating an alternative.

“We know that individual actions account for more than 40 per cent of emissions, so I would urge people around the country to use ‘world environment day’ as a chance to assess their own impact on the environment, and take steps to reduce their individual carbon footprint.”