Environmental groups and the Conservative party are keen to see the target raised to 80%, however, EEF has argued that a 60% target has the support of business as well as being a formidable challenge.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee last week published its report on the Bill. EEF submitted written evidence and also sat before the Committee to give oral evidence on the draft Bill. Its report argues that the first task of the proposed Committee on Climate Change should be “to assess the current state of knowledge regarding climate science in order to determine what the 2050 target should be and the trajectory for achieving it”.
The Committee recognised that there is evidence suggesting that the 2050 target should be higher than 60%, but notes that CO2 emissions in 2006 were only 5% below 1990 levels, it recognised that the 50% target “is still extremely ambitious”.
The Committee agrees with EEF that five-year budgetary periods, rather than annual targets should be set. With environmental groups and the Conservative party calling for annual targets, EEF sees this as a positive move.
EEF stated in both oral and written evidence (see attached) sessions that the proportion of overseas carbon credits, used for compliance, should not be limited, as long as they meet strict criteria. However, the Committee said they “should only be exercised as a last resort” and should be “strictly limited to a quantifiable amount to be advised by the CCC”.
Please see links to both the EFRA press release and full report.