UK commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035

The United Kingdom committed on Tuesday November 12 to reduce “at least 81%” its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 as part of its climate ambition, announced British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at COP29 in Baku.

“A global problem also requires global partnership and responsible international cooperation”declared the head of the British government, one of the rare G20 leaders present at this climate summit in Azerbaijan, calling “all parties to present ambitious objectives”.

This new objective is the central axis of the new “nationally determined contribution” (NDC), which the United Kingdom, like all other signatory countries to the 2015 Paris climate agreement, must submit to the UN by 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, Mr. 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.

Carbon neutrality in 2050

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, the United Kingdom committed to reducing its emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990, and to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050.

He is “currently at almost 50% reduction in emissions”but the country is not “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, deplored to Agence France-Presse in October.

The NGO Greenpeace welcomed a new objective on Tuesday “relatively ambitious” 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 in July, the Labor government has already taken several environmental measures, such as ending the freeze on the development of onshore wind power or launching new offshore wind and solar projects. The United Kingdom also closed its last coal-fired power station in September.