The Government has set the Fifth Carbon Budget which will cut carbon emissions by 57% by 2032. This announcement comes at a time when big governmental cuts in subsidies for renewable energy have been put in place, and an impending exit from the EU leaves the energy sector with some uncertainties.
Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said that climate change is one of the most serious long-term risks to the economy. Ms Rudd said, "We must not turn our back on Europe or the world... So while I think the UKs role in dealing with a warming planet may have been made harder by the decision last Thursday [the EU referendum result], our commitment to dealing with it has not gone away."
One thing that will really help the UK in this ambitious target is the fact that, according to the Committee on Climate Change, the UKs emissions cuts are in line with the goals set by the Climate Change Act 2008, which aims to see carbon dioxide emissions fall by 80% by 2050. However, some have pointed to the fact that new approaches will be needed to ensure that emissions levels keep falling, with housing, agriculture and transport being areas where emissions are growing.
The Committee has also suggested that ministers support carbon capture and storage technology, which will allow the burning of fossil fuels to continue.
Speaking about the Carbon Budget, Simon Bullock from Friends of the Earth said, "After the huge confusion following the Brexit vote, we welcome the certainty this decision gives. Investors will now know that the UK is a place where low carbon investment can flourish. The big challenge is to ensure stronger policies to meet this carbon budget."
However, Labour have challenged the Budget, saying that because it is so late, it is in breach of the Climate Change Act 2008. That Act requires carbon budgets to be passed by both houses of Parliament by the end of June. Because it was announced so late, that will be impossible. However, the Government insist that the Budget will become law.
