UK to accelerate carbon targets by 15 years

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) - The UK government will set the "world's most ambitious climate change target into law" to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, including the UK share of international aviation and shipping emissions, it was announced today.

The radical new climate change commitments will bring forward the current target for reducing carbon emissions by 15 years.

The targets will be enshrined in law by the end of June 2021, with legislation setting out the UK government's commitments in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday).

"We want to continue to raise the bar on tackling climate change, and that's why we're setting the most ambitious target to cut emissions in the world," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

"The UK will be home to pioneering businesses, new technologies and green innovation as we make progress to net-zero emissions, laying the foundations for decades of economic growth in a way that creates thousands of jobs."

"We want to see world leaders follow our lead and match our ambition in the run-up to the crucial climate summit COP26, as we will only build back greener and protect our planet if we come together to take action."

The UK Department for Transport also launched at the end of last month a consultation proposing a series of changes to the country's Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, including a recommendation to increase the main volumetric target by 2.5%.