Climate conferences are often the subject of announcements and commitments. Proof of this is this Tuesday, the day after the opening of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The United Kingdom has committed to reducing “at least 81%” its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
This new objective is the central axis of the new “ nationally determined contribution » (NDC) that the United Kingdomlike all other signatory countries to the 2015 Paris climate agreement, must submit to the UN by next February. Because this roadmap must be updated every five years.
“Given the climate damage already observed around the world, the objective of reducing emissions by 81% by 2035 constitutes the right level of ambition,” Professor Piers Forster, interim chairman of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the body responsible for advising the government on its climate policy, recently said.
In its previous contribution, the United Kingdom made two commitments. On the one hand, reduce its emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990. And, on the other hand, to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. The country is rather well advanced because it is located “currently at almost 50% reduction in emissions”climatologist Corinne Le Quéré, member of the CCC, told AFP in October. However, it is not “not on the right track” to achieve the 2030 goal.
Climate: barely opened, COP29 is already running into disagreements
New government, new trajectory
The NGO Greenpeace in any case welcomed a new objective this Tuesday “relatively ambitious”. She also appreciates Keir Starmer's decision “to move forward” after the reversals of the previous conservative government.
The previous executive had notably been accused of lacking involvement at the global level. And had also been criticized for having reversed certain measures aimed at reducing the country's emissions. “Goals must be supported by bold actions”therefore warned Greenpeace. And the NGO is not the only one waiting for the government to turn the corner. “Setting a goal is not enough. The UK must deliver on its international commitments through action at national level,” stressed the CCC.
Labor, which came to power in July after 14 years of conservative governments, was elected with an ambitious program in terms of ecological transition. This is based in particular on the creation of a public entity with 8.3 billion pounds (9.9 billion euros) to invest in renewable energies.
“Nothing could be more central to the UK's national interests than making progress globally to stop rising temperatures,” Labor Foreign Minister David Lammy assured in mid-September during a speech.
Since this summer, the government has already taken several measures in favor of the climate. Such as the end of the freeze on the development of onshore wind power or the launch of new offshore wind and solar projects. The country also closed its last coal-fired power plant in September.
Coal is over in the UK
The United Kingdom wants to be leader
Rare G20 leader present at this summit in Azerbaijan which started on Monday, Keir Starmer also called “all parties to present ambitious objectives”. “A global problem also requires global partnership and responsible international cooperation”he added.
Asked about the threat that the election of Donald Trump poses to a possible withdrawal of the United States from the Paris agreement, Keir Starmer replied that he did not count “not tell others how to behave”.
“Everyone knows there is an energy transition”he argued, adding that he wanted “continue to show UK leadership” in this matter.
During this COP29, London intends in particular to push the financing of projects in developing countries. The British government plans to have Parliament vote on a guarantee of $1.2 billion for the benefit of the Asian Development Bank. David Lammy also reaffirmed in September the United Kingdom's desire to ratify the United Nations Treaty on the High Seas aimed at protecting the seabed, and to support the conclusion of a global treaty on plastics.
(With AFP)
