Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston has welcomed new legislation to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
The announcement means that the UK’s 2050 target of reducing emissions by 80%, agreed by MPs under the Climate Change Act in 2008, will now be amended to a new and tougher goal of zero emissions by 2050, which will be put into law.
Mr Huddleston said of the new target: “This announcement will safeguard our natural environment, improve air quality and promote clean-tech jobs, both in Worcestershire and across the country. Residents across Mid Worcestershire have called on the Government to do more to tackle climate change, so I am delighted about the announcement. By making this 2050 target the law, the Prime Minister has shown that the UK can, and will, meet the challenges of climate change.”
Implementing a net zero emissions target means that electricity, transport and heating will need to use alternative energy sources to fossil fuels to reduce the production of carbon dioxide, a leading contributor to climate change.
During the announcement in Parliament, Mr Huddleston told the Business Secretary, Greg Clark, that he “enthusiastically” welcomed the legislation, especially the creation of a Youth Steering Group, which will help support the Government meet its net zero target by providing feedback on its priorities for environmental action. Mr Huddleston told the Business Secretary: “This is an issue that impacts all of us, especially young people. I therefore particularly welcome the introduction of the Youth Steering Group to advise the Government on this issue.”
Sam Richards, Director of the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) said: “Nigel has been instrumental in our work to encourage the Government to adopt a net zero emissions target. Today’s announcement has cemented the importance of this work.”
Mr Huddleston is a member of the Conservative Environment Network Caucus which has consistently pushed for a net zero commitment from the Government. He has also supported calls for the UK to host the 2020 Global Climate Change Summit (COP26), where countries will update the UN on their efforts to meet the climate change targets agreed to at the 2015 summit in Paris.
