UK ‘on track’ to slash emissions

The UK is on track to exceed targets to slash emissions by a third by 2020 – and would have met the goal even without the recession, the government said yesterday.

The “carbon plan”, detailing progress on and future plans for reducing greenhouse gases, suggests that even without the economy contracting, green policies would be delivering a 34 per cent emissions cut by the end of the decade.

Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said the plan showed the UK was “walking the walk” on global warming, and tackling the issue was “achievable and affordable”.

Despite George Osborne’s autumn statement including little on the low-carbon economy, Mr Huhne said the Chancellor backed efforts to tackle climate change.