On Monday 15 October, the British government launched a consultation process to adopt a strategy aimed at zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Minister of Energy and Clean Growth, Claire Perry, wrote to the Committee on Climate Change (an advisory body established in 2008 to advise the government) to obtain expertise on: - the desirability of setting a date for achieving zero net emissions throughout the economy, including transport, industry and agriculture; - the desirability of revising the current 2050 target, which is to reduce emissions by at least 80% compared to 1990 in order to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement; - the way in which emission reductions could be achieved in industry, housing, transport and agriculture; - the expected costs and benefits compared to the current targets.
"I applaud Prime Minister Teresa May’s leadership in taking this decision and setting the UK on the path to meeting the core Paris Agreement goal of net zero emissions by 2050, consistent with the 1.5° target", commented Laurence Tubiana, Director of the European Climate Foundation.
The British government's initiative was taken in response to the IPCC's special report on the impacts of an average global warming of 1.5°C. The European Commission's document setting out an EU vision for 2050 is expected on 28 November. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)