Legally Binding Target to Cut Emissions

A new government plan has been laid down by parliament to cut the UK's greenhouse gas emissions to a legally binding goal of net zero by 2050. Britain is one of the first G7 major nations to propose this plan however critics have been sceptical that this will even be possible.

 

Scotland has already committed to a similar scheme, proposing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045. Additionally, the Welsh Government are also ambitious to match this target and will bring regulations forward next year to amend their existing 2050 target. 

 

This comes as Theresa May steps down from her duties as Prime Minister. She says there was a "moral duty to leave this world in a better condition than what we inherited". Some observers have said this is Theresa May's last attempt to leave her position with a positive influence on the country.

 

Theresa May has had lots of negative publicity regarding her recent Brexit discussions – however this new environmental scheme has shown her in a different light. The scheme has received wide praise from green groups and is supported by many UK citizens.

 

The PM said: "Now is the time to go further and faster to safeguard the environment for our children. This country led the world in innovation during the Industrial Revolution, and now we must lead the world to a cleaner, greener form of growth."

 

The government will have to make small changes and improvements across various industries to support the target.  Emissions from homes, transport, farming and industry will have to be reduced and avoided completely.

 

In certain circumstances, greenhouse gas emissions will need to be offset by planting trees or sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere. Other ways that the government can make changes include technology improvements such as increasing the use of LED light bulbs or electric cars.

 

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