The United Kingdom committed on Tuesday, November 12, to reduce “at least 81%” reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 as part of its climate ambition, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced at COP29 in Baku.
“A global problem also requires a global partnership and responsible international cooperation”declared the head of the British Government, one of the few G20 leaders present at this climate summit in Azerbaijan, calling “all parties must present ambitious objectives”.
This new objective is the central axis of the new “nationally determined contribution” (NDC), which the UK, like all other signatories to the 2015 Paris climate agreement, is due to submit to the UN in February.
Asked about the threat posed by the election of Donald Trump to a possible withdrawal of the United States from this agreement, which aims to limit global warming to less than 2 ° C, Starmer responded that he did not count. “not telling others how to behave”. “Everyone knows that there is an energy transition”he argued, adding that he wanted “Continue to show leadership in the United Kingdom” in this matter.
Carbon neutrality in 2050
The UK’s new ambition is in line with the recommendation made last month by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), tasked with advising the government on its climate policy. In its previous contribution, the United Kingdom committed to reducing its emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
He is “Currently with almost 50% emissions reduction”but the country does not “not on the right path” reach the 2030 goal, climatologist Corinne Le Quéré, member of the CCC and former president of the High Climate Council, deplored in October to Agence France-Presse.
The NGO Greenpeace celebrated a new objective this Tuesday “relatively ambitious” and Keir Starmer’s decision “to move forward” after the setbacks of the previous conservative government. “But goals must be backed by bold actions”he warned.
Since coming to power in July, the Labor government has already taken several environmental measures, such as ending a freeze on onshore wind development or launching new offshore wind and solar projects. The United Kingdom also closed its last coal-fired power station in September.
