COP29 opened Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. This Tuesday, the United Kingdom announced that it was committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by “at least 81%” by 2035 compared to 1990 as part of its climate ambition.
“A global problem also requires global partnership and responsible international cooperation,” said Keir Starmer, the head of the British government. He is one of the few G20 leaders present at this climate summit in Azerbaijan, and called on “all parties to present ambitious objectives”.
“Showing UK leadership”
This new objective is the central axis of the new “nationally determined contribution” (NDC) that the United Kingdom, like all other signatory countries to the 2015 Paris climate agreement, must submit to the UN by next February.
Asked about the threat that the election of Donald Trump poses to a possible withdrawal of the United States from this agreement, which aims to limit global warming to less than 2°C, Keir Starmer replied that he did not count tell others how to behave. “Everyone knows that there is an energy transition,” he argued, adding that he wanted to “continue to show the United Kingdom’s leadership” in this area.
The new UK ambition is in line with the recommendation made last month by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), tasked with advising the government on its climate policy. In its previous contribution (NDC), the United Kingdom committed to reducing its emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990, and to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050.
A “relatively ambitious” objective
It is “currently at almost 50% reduction in emissions”, but the country is “not on the right track” to achieve the 2030 objective, climatologist Corinne Le Quéré, member of the CCC and former president of the High Council for the Climate.
The NGO Greenpeace on Tuesday welcomed a new “relatively ambitious” objective and Keir Starmer's decision “to move forward” after the reversals of the previous conservative government. “But the goals must be supported by bold actions,” she warned.
Since coming to power last July, the Labor government has already taken several measures such as ending the freeze on the development of onshore wind power and launching new offshore wind and solar projects. The United Kingdom also closed its last coal-fired power station in September.
