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UK leads world with commitment to cut emissions by 80% by 2050

  • Published: Friday, 17 October 2008

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband today committed the UK to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050 as a major contribution to a global deal on climate change.

In a wide-ranging Commons statement, his first since being appointed to the new Department of Energy and Climate Change, Mr Miliband:

  • backed the recommendations of Lord Turner's Climate Change Committee and said the Government would make the target binding in law by amending the Climate Change Bill currently going through Parliament.
  • said that he plans to bring an amendment to the Energy Bill, also currently before the House, to introduce a 'feed in tariff' to support small scale renewables, and to make a further announcement soon on encouraging renewable heat.
  • made clear that, unless energy companies demonstrate action to end overcharging for many customers on pre-payment meters, he was prepared to consult on legislation to end unfair pricing differentials.

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