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Flights to be included in 2050 green targets
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor27 Oct 2008
Green groups praised Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband today after it emerged he would include aviation in proposed laws to tackle global warming.
In a bid to head off a Labour revolt, Mr Miliband is to include international air travel as well as shipping in Britain's pledges to cut greenhouse gases by 80 per cent by 2050. Friends of the earth said the move to strengthen the Climate Change Bill made the legislation "a world-class climate change law".
The decision is set to be announced tomorrow when MPs vote on a series of amendments to the Bill, which will introduce the world's first legallybinding emissions targets.
Last week, dozens of MPs backed an amendment to include emissions from the two sources which had been left out. The Government has already taken on board the recommendations of its advisory climate change committee, chaired by Lord Turner, to increase the 2050 target for emissions cuts from 60 per cent to 80 per cent.
Today a spokesman for the Department for energy and Climate Change said: "We're putting in place the most ambitious legislation in the world to tackle climate change and cut emissions by 80 per cent."
Friends of the earth executive director Andy Atkins said: "The final piece of the jigsaw is in place. The world's first climate change law will also be a world-class climate change law."
Reader views (5)
So explain again how expanding Stansead, Heathrow and possibly Gatwick will get us under the 'legally binding' emmissions targets? Another piece of joined-up Labour government......oh I forgot, they can always tax us more!!!
- Mark, London, 28/10/2008 11:48
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Ayliff, your little piece of paradise on the hideously deformed Costa Blanca will not fare well under climate change. Look forward to rising sea levels, desertification and a collapse of the property market.
- Austen, London, 27/10/2008 22:12
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The fact that they'll be 6 feet under is the point, they be blamed for being wrong then can they.
Global warming is such a con ... it's a 30 year weather cycle. A Climate Change Secretary, does that include pixies and fairy dust too!
- Robbie Paramor, Los Angeles CA, 27/10/2008 21:07
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As far as the Greenies/Tree Huggers are concerned we should all be back in caves. What a piece of tosh. Ensure what we have functions efficiently and get on with life.
- Ayliff Mcnab, Spain, 27/10/2008 16:19
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Ed Miliband and current Labour will be six feet under before any of this comes to pass. Anybody can talk about 2050. Why doesn't he talk about 2015 or, better, 2009?
- Phil Jones, London UK, 27/10/2008 14:42
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