Starmer announces UK target for 81% carbon emissions cut by 2035

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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a new climate change target at a global summit, which will see the nation aim for an 81% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035. This updates the previous Conservative government’s goal of a 78% decrease by the same year, factoring in international aviation and shipping emissions. Sir Keir said that the new target, which aligns with advise from the UK’s climate change committee, would help ensure the country’s future prosperity and energy security.

The prime minister made the announcement at the United Nations conference of parties, where he was among seven G20 leaders present. Sir Keir declined to comment on US President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to roll back climate regulations. However, he stated that “the race is on for the clean energy jobs of the future” and that he wanted the UK to lead the way. He called on other countries to match the UK’s new target, following dire warnings from the UN that the world is on course for a 3.1C increase in temperature without further cuts.

The UK’s new target is in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement’s legally-binding requirement that member states lay out their own “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) for carbon reduction every five years. The UK’s original goal was a 68% cut in emissions by 2030, but this was updated to 81% in line with the country’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Climate Change Act 2008 set domestic carbon budgets in five-year periods.

Although the prime minister has not yet announced new policies related to this target, the government has already taken steps towards reducing emissions, including ending a ban on new onshore wind projects, closing its last coal power plant, and pledging not to issue new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea. The target will be included in papers to go before Parliament before February

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