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Chris Huhne briefs MPs on long-term carbon target | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Chris Huhne has set out plans to cut carbon emissions in half by 2027 and change the way Britain produces energy. | |
The energy secretary - who is at the centre of a storm over claims he asked someone close to him to take speeding points for him - briefed MPs on the UK's fourth "carbon budget". | |
He reportedly won a battle with Lib Dem colleague Vince Cable over the targets amid fears they will hurt the economy. | He reportedly won a battle with Lib Dem colleague Vince Cable over the targets amid fears they will hurt the economy. |
But they will include an "opt-out" if EU competitors fail on similar aims. | |
'Green growth' | |
The decision will be reviewed in 2014 to ensure the targets are "aligned" with other members of the European Union, which Mr Huhne told the Commons made "pragmatic sense". | |
Countering claims that energy consumers would face price hikes as a result of the measures, he said it would result in no additional cost for the consumers during this parliament. | |
He also revealed the government was "working up a package of measures" to be announced by the end of the year to help energy-intensive industries "adjust" to the transformation while remaining competitive. | |
Mr Huhne told MPs the budget would "set Britain on the path to green growth". | |
"It will establish our competitive advantage in the most rapidly growing sectors of the world economy," he said. | |
The announcement makes the UK the first country in the world to have declared a "legally binding" target on greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020. | |
The set of five-yearly carbon budgets maps out the stages the UK should go through on the way to its long-term goal of cutting emissions by 80% by 2050 by what advisers consider the most economic route. | |
Political squabbles in cabinet have left their scars. | |
Energy-intensive industries will gain relief from rising electricity prices, via details to be announced later, while the carbon budget will be reviewed in 2014 in case UK ambition means it is losing out against continental rivals. | |
I understand that a key factor in the decision to go with the carbon budgets advisers recommendations was a threat by Greenpeace to take the government to judicial review if it gave way to business lobbying. | |
The budget's adoption has been applauded by a group of leading UK companies for giving "greater certainty for business to invest in green technologies". | |
"It will generate jobs and export opportunities in these sectors - maintain energy security and protect our economy from oil price volatility. It's a framework for growth, not just for action on climate but for growth and prosperity." | |
The 2027 targets follow recommendations from the government's official advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change. | The 2027 targets follow recommendations from the government's official advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change. |
Its urged the UK to accept a global agreement roughly equating to an emissions cut of 50% - based on 1990 levels - by 2025. | |
The 2027 target forms part of reaching a longer-term aim of a 60% reduction by 2030. | |
The committee's chief executive, David Kennedy, said he was "delighted" the government had accepted its recommendations and that it would "ensure that we make the right investment choices, maximising long-term growth and reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels". | |
However, Green MP Caroline Lucas remained critical of the announcement which "risked being a sham", she said, citing the "slipped in a concessionary review clause which will allow the government to backtrack on the fourth carbon budget". | |
She concluded: "On the crucial issue of how we now meet the targets, the government has shunned the CCC's recommendation that the budget should be met through domestic action alone. | |
"Allowing the use of trading mechanisms such as offsetting essentially means outsourcing our emission reduction responsibilities to other countries - thereby weakening the drive to achieve more green technologies and industries, with all the jobs those can bring, here in the UK." | |
Consumer watchdog Which? has expressed concern that domestic customers will not be similarly shielded from price rises. | |
The Committee on Climate Change has forecast that to meet emissions targets the average household fuel bill will go up by £1 a week until 2020 when it will plateau out with no major rises after that. | The Committee on Climate Change has forecast that to meet emissions targets the average household fuel bill will go up by £1 a week until 2020 when it will plateau out with no major rises after that. |
Mr Huhne made the statement on the carbon budget to the Commons in person. | |
The plans were originally to be announced in a written ministerial statement, a move which had drawn criticism from Opposition MPs. | The plans were originally to be announced in a written ministerial statement, a move which had drawn criticism from Opposition MPs. |
He is currently at the centre of media storm over allegations, being investigated by police, that he asked his someone close to him to take speeding points for him in 2003. | He is currently at the centre of media storm over allegations, being investigated by police, that he asked his someone close to him to take speeding points for him in 2003. |