UK government maintains commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, rejects using carbon budget surplus.

The UK government has affirmed its commitment to meeting net-zero emissions by 2050, ruling out the use of an accounting loophole that would have allowed it to carry over surplus emission cuts from its third carbon budget (2018-2022) to meet future climate goals. The decision was made after the Climate Change Committee warned that using the surplus could weaken efforts to reduce emissions. The UK has already achieved a 5.4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, bringing them down to 53% below 1990 levels.

May 21, 2024
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