Liberal Democrat energy secretary, Ed Davey, confirmed on Tuesday that targets for the UK’s carbon budget for the next decade will remain the same despite attempts from George Osborne to lower them.
After a massive political battle between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats three years ago, a legally binding target was established of 50% across 2023-2027 against 1990 levels.
As part of the decision, Osborne secured a compromise through a review this year. Osborne has expressed worries that green policies are becoming a burden on business.
Davey contested these claims and stated: “In reviewing the fourth carbon budget, I was reassured by the vast majority of business groups, investors and environmental groups who agreed that any change would be unjustified, would deter investment and undermine our efforts to get a global climate deal in 2015.”
The EEF, the manufacturers’ association, said that although it supported the decision, it had also had concerns over the optimistic targets. Gareth Stace, head of its climate and environmental policy said: “This was the correct approach to take in opposition to voices who wanted the chancellor to simply accept the target without even examining the evidence and carry on regardless."
World leaders are meeting in New York this September to further discuss cutting the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030. This is ahead of the 2015 conference in Paris where it is hoped the first ever global deal on climate change will be established.
