Boris Johnson’s climate change policies slammed by Tominey
He said the UK would lead the way in green technology – by protecting the environment and creating thousands of jobs. Mr Johnson unveiled the plan before a speech tomorrow at an international summit hosted by US President Joe Biden to mark Earth Day. He said: “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. We want to see world leaders follow our lead and match our ambition in the run-up to the crucial climate summit Cop26 [in Glasgow in November].
“We will only build back greener and protect our planet if we come together to take action.”
The decision to cut emissions by 78 percent by 2035 compared to 1990 levels comes after the Government’s climate advisers called for drastic action.
It marks a significant step forward on the previous commitment to cut emissions by 68 percent by 2030, which was already one of the most ambitious plans among developed nations. And it echoes the Daily Express’s Green Britain Needs You crusade.
But it will require major changes to our daily lives for the target to be met.
These include phasing out conventional cars in favour of electric ones, increasing low-carbon heating in homes, boosting offshore wind and rolling out hydrogen technology.
Experts have also said we need to eat less dairy and meat.
Boris Johnson hopes the UK will be a leader in green technology (Image: Getty)
But the Government has rejected this call, insisting its plan will reach the target while protecting people’s freedom of choice, including their diet.
Mr Johnson believes hitting net-zero emissions will be key to securing sustainable long-term growth and strong public finances as well as creating jobs and trade opportunities.
The Treasury will publish a review into what will be needed to maximise economic benefits while ensuring that the cost to consumers, businesses and taxpayers is fair.
The Confederation of British Industry’s chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said the plans put the UK on a “credible path” to achieving net-zero emissions.
She added: “Business stands ready to deliver with the latest low-carbon technologies and innovations that are driving emissions down every year.
Green industries create jobs and trade opportunities (Image: Getty)
“By tackling this together, we can reap the benefits of transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Shaun Spiers, executive director of the Green Alliance think tank, said: “The inclusion of international aviation and shipping is particularly important, showing climate leadership in the year we are hosting the Glasgow climate summit. What we need now is to ensure there is no gap between ambition and policy.”
Greenpeace’s Rebecca Newsom said measures to cut emissions from homes and transport should already be under way if the Government is going to meet the target.
And Prof Myles Allen, head of Oxford University’s climate dynamics group, suggested the price of flights would have to significantly increase to put people off flying.
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Comment by Dale Vince
Earth Day…what’s that all about? For me, it’s the chance to focus on the most important issue we face: keeping this planet fit to live on. For you, maybe it’s the chance to try something new.
Dale Vince says green industry is a chance to try something new (Image: Wayne Starr)
We have just 10 years to avoid the worst of the climate crisis – we simply need to cut our carbon emissions.
There is no vaccine for the climate crisis and social distancing will not help us.
And that’s the biggest problem actually, the climate crisis looks so big that as individuals, we feel there’s not much we can do about it. On that front I have some good news.
Not only can we make a difference, there’s a lot of power in our hands. There are just three things that together make up 80 percent of all of our personal carbon footprints – energy, transport and food.
Transport is one of the biggest contributors to carbon footprints (Image: PA)
And because we all make spending decisions every day, we choose which way the world goes round. Our spending choices not only directly affect carbon emissions but they send signals to businesses.
The rise of plant-based foods and electric vehicles are examples of consumer power driving change.
So this Earth Day, why not see what you can do to shrink your footprint? Use less energy, travel less or leave your car at home, walk, cycle or bus.
And eat no animal products. That really is the biggest and easiest change you can make.
The climate crisis has come about through collective high-carbon living. We can reverse it through collective low-carbon living. It’s that simple. And it’s our choice.
Turn it down, leave it parked and eat kindly – see how low you can go.
