Decision expected on emissions goal

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The new Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband will respond to the climate change committee's advice to toughen up the 2050 target as part of a statement to the Commons.

The Government-appointed committee, chaired by Lord Turner, recommended last week that the UK should commit to an 80% reduction on 1990 levels for all greenhouse gases and covering all sectors.

The committee was asked by the Prime Minister to report earlier than expected on the 2050 target, raising expectations among green groups that the tougher goal could be included in the Climate Change Bill instead of the current 60% figure.

Lord Turner said a more stringent target was needed because new information suggested climate change was happening more quickly and the dangers were greater than previously thought.

In a letter to Mr Miliband, Lord Turner said the tougher target would be "challenging but feasible", and could be achieved at a cost of 1% to 2% of GDP in 2050.

He also said a cut of 80% on 1990 levels by 2050 should cover all the major greenhouse gases - not just carbon dioxide - and all sectors of the UK economy including shipping and aviation.

But because of practical problems in allocating emissions of international transport to the UK, they should not be included in the Climate Change Bill's five yearly carbon budgets, he said.

Instead the overall target should be "at least 80%", with greater reductions in sectors covered by the Bill if aviation and shipping do not make sufficient cuts by mid century, he said.

The recommendations of a tougher target were welcomed by environmentalists and opposition MPs who urged the Government to incorporate it into the new climate change law.