Reports: UK to toughen climate target before Biden summit
Pauline Latham, the Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, speaks during Health Secretary Matt Hancock's update on the COVID-19 situation, at the House of Commons in London, April 19. Reuters-Yonhap
The U.K. government will set itself a more ambitious climate target, pledging to reduce carbon emissions by three-quarters of their 1990 levels by 2035, British media reported Tuesday.
They said the goal is to be announced ahead of a virtual climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday. The Financial Times, which first reported the news, said that for the first time the U.K. would include emissions from international aviation and shipping in its goal.
The 2035 plan would put Britain on course to meet its target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The U.K. government declined to comment directly on the reports. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said that ministers would be making an announcement “shortly, taking into account the latest advice from the Climate Change Committee.” (AP)