Government announces aims for climate dealUK government wants global emissions peak by 2020

26 June 2009

The UK government has set out its position ahead of the Copenhagen climate change negotiations in December.

A peak in global emissions by 2020, reducing them to half their 1990 levels by 2050 and limiting global temperature increase to two degrees are among the government’s aims for the Danish summit. The UN meeting is intended to produce a deal to replace the Kyoto protocol.

80% emissions cut

In a speech at London Zoo, the Prime Minister said that developing countries will need particular help, adding that developed countries will have to reduce their emissions by 80% by 2050 to allow for developing countries’ increased emissions.

According to government figures, UK emissions are down 21% from 1990 levels, and the EU is committed to reducing its emissions by 20% by 2020.

As part of its preparations for the Copenhagen meeting, the government has launched an Act On Copenhagen website and updated its Act on CO2 calculator.

The report, called The Road To Copenhagen, follows the release of a major climate projections study from the Met Office last week, which predicted likely changes to the UK climate based on different scenarios. It's hoped that a successful outcome in Copenhagen will help to curtail the severity of climate change.

What you can do

Which? has a wealth of advice on cutting emissions, from 10 big changes you can make, advice on how to use less water and electricity and an analysis of carbon offsetting schemes in our greener living section. We've also got a green myth buster and a guide to greener motoring.

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