Government gives details on setting a UK net zero emissions target
12 June 2019 (updated on 12 June 2019)
Business Secretary, Greg Clark, updated the House of Commons on the UK's proposals for setting a net zero emissions target.
The Prime Minister today announced that the UK will eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050. A statutory instrument will be laid in Parliament today, which will amend the Climate Change Act 2008, in order to implement the announcement. This would mean that the UK would be the first G7 country to legislate for net zero emissions.
Business Secretary Greg Clark told MPs:
"There are many issues in this House on which we passionately disagree, but there are moments when we can act together to take the long-term decisions that will shape the future of the world that we leave to our children and our grandchildren [...] It's right that economies like ours, which made use of carbon-intensive technologies to start the first industrial revolution should now blaze a trail in the fourth industrial revolution."
Responding on behalf of the Opposition, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rebecca Long Bailey said:
"The Labour Party committed to a target of net-zero emissions before 2050 at its 2018 conference, and it is welcome to see the Government move in a similar direction."
She went on to state that:
"Since 2015 when the Conservative Government secured a majority, it has systematically dismantled the policy frameworks designed to tackle climate change..."
- Watch Parliament TV: statement on UK net zero emissions target
- Read Commons Hansard: statement on UK net zero emissions target
- Find out more about the Government's target for UK emissions (external site)
Related information
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
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Image: PA
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