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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/11/keir-starmer-to-unveil-ambitious-new-uk-climate-goal-cop29-ndc>
"Keir Starmer will announce a stringent new climate goal for the UK on Tuesday,
the
Guardian can reveal, with a target in line with the advice given to the
government by its scientists and independent advisers.
The UK will pledge to cut emissions by 81% compared with 1990 levels by 2035, a
target in line with the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee,
according to three people familiar with the matter.
The goal will be one of the first national plans on cutting carbon, known as
“nationally determined contributions” or NDCs in UN jargon, to be unveiled at
Cop29, the crucial UN climate summit taking place in Azerbaijan this week, and
is expected to be one of the most ambitious of any government at the talks.
The goal would be achieved by decarbonising the power sector and through a
massive expansion of offshore wind, as well as through investments in carbon
capture and storage and nuclear energy.
The UK is one of the first countries to announce an NDC, which are not due
until February next year. Campaigners have found the NDCs submitted so far
“underwhelming”. The NDC submitted by the previous Cop host, the United Arab
Emirates, was described as “greenwashing” by 350.org. A submission by the next
host, Brazil, was also criticised for being insufficient and called
“misaligned” by Climate Observatory.
Friends of the Earth’s head of campaigns, Rosie Downes, said: “With the warning
signals flashing red, a planet battered by increasingly severe floods, storms
and heatwaves, and the election of climate denier President Trump, the need for
climate leadership by the UK has never been more urgent. Starmer’s 2035
carbon-reduction pledge is a step in the right direction but must be seen as a
floor to the level of ambition, not a ceiling. Deeper, faster cuts are needed
to help avert the climate collision course we are on.
“Furthermore, if these targets are to be credible, they must be backed by a
clear plan to ensure they are met. The UK’s existing 2030 commitment is
currently way off course.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
