the UK commits to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035

This new objective is the central axis of the new nationally determined contribution that each country signatory to the Paris climate agreement must submit to the UN by February.

On Tuesday 12 November, the United Kingdom committed to reducing “at least 81%” its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990, as part of its climate ambition, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 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) that the United Kingdom, like all other signatory countries to the 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, 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. 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 NDC, the United Kingdom committed to reducing its emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990, and to achieving carbon neutrality by 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, emphasized climatologist Corinne Le Quéré in October, member of the CCC and former president of the High Council for the Climate. 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.