Learn more about the Campaign
The campaign to persuade the government to set a binding target of an 80% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050 rather than 60% is important if we are going to tackle climate change.
This campaign exists to persuade the Government to set a binding target of an 80% cut in Britain's CO2 emissions by 2050, rather than the 60% that is currently contained in the Climate Change Bill.
Launched by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg MP and environment spokesperson Steve Webb MP, the campaign is open to anyone who believes that the climate change crisis is so urgent that we need to cut our CO2 emissions further and faster.
Later in the year MPs will be able to vote on whether to replace the 60% target with a tougher 80% target, which is supported by environmental groups and leading scientists.
This group has two aims:
(1) to show the Government the strength of support for an 80% CO2 target;
(2) to encourage people across Britain to contact their local MP and report back to the group every time an MP signs up to support the 80% target if there is a vote in the House of Commons.
By joining the group you are helping to show the strength of support for the target and encouraging MPs to sign up.
To contact your MP, email them through http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/, or write to them at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
As soon as you get a response from your MP saying that they will (or won't) support the 80% target, ket us know on the group wall. You can also email a copy of their reply to Steve Webb at webbs@parliament.uk or fax it to him on 020 7219 1110 .
Please encourage all your friends to join this group - together we can make a difference to the future of the planet!
We first need to reach agreement on an 80% target, so that everyone then works together to achieve it. There needs to be co-operation across political parties and across Government departments for this to work.
Methods to cut carbon emissions could include:
- Generating more electricity through low carbon measures such as wind power, biomass, hydro-electric and other renewables, combined with the use of new technologies such as carbon capture and storage which will trap the carbon dioxide emissions generated by fossil fuels;
- Improving energy efficiency, e.g. ensuring that our buildings are much better insulated, so that we need to use less energy to heat our homes;
- Creating a “green tax switch” by taxing high polluting cars, aeroplanes and fuel.
Liberal Democrats have plans to move towards a zero carbon Britain, which you can read here: http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/documents/policies/zero%20carbon.pdf
The Government has committed the UK to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050, to tackle global warming. These targets will be made legally binding by the new Climate Change Bill, currently going through Parliament.
However, environmental experts believe that this target is not enough and that it will still lead to dangerous levels of climate change. We should instead be aiming for a cut of 80%.
A recent report by the IPPR think tank, working with WWF and the RSPB, (http://www.ippr.org/pressreleases/?id=2922) suggests that the 60% target is based on out-dated science and did not include the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. The latest scientific studies suggest that it is desirable, possible and affordable for the UK to cut its CO2 emissions by at least 80% by 2050.
Gordon Brown has suggested (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/nov/20/carbonemissions.renewableenergy) that 80% is a better target, but plans to leave the decision to a new Climate Change Committee, which could take months – especially as the committee has not yet been set up.
We believe that we have to be demanding 80% now.
Greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane – produced by human activity such as burning oil, gas and coal for heating, transport and electricity – build up in the atmosphere and trap heat. This pushes up temperatures across the planet.
Global average temperatures have risen by 0.4C since the 1970s and scientists are confident that this is due to human emissions, as it is too rapid to have been caused by natural factors. They predict that if emissions continue to rise at this rate, average temperatures will increase by 4C by 2100. The recent Stern Review (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6098362.stm) for the Government into the effects of climate change warned of the following consequences:
- Melting glaciers will increase flood risk
Crop yields will decline, particularly in Africa
Rising sea levels could leave 200 million people permanently displaced
Up to 40% of species could face extinction
There will be more examples of extreme weather patterns
Therefore, there is growing agreement that we need to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions in order to halt the speed of the earth’s warming.