Johnson urged to set out firm plans for UK's net-zero carbon target

(The Guardian, 6 Feb 2020) Campaigners call on PM to ‘show UK is ready to do what it takes’ before COP 26 summit

Boris Johnson must flesh out plans for the UK to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 if he is to make a success of the COP 26 climate summit, campaigners have said.

The government has not yet set out firm plans or systematic new measures aimed at reaching the net-zero target, which was enshrined in law by Theresa May last summer.

Meeting the target will require sweeping changes to the UK’s economy and infrastructure, from energy generation to transport, housing to farming and consumer goods to food. Nearly every major government department is likely to be involved in some way.

Launching the UK’s presidency of the crunch UN climate meeting, set for Glasgow this November, Johnson highlighted only one major new policy – bringing forward the planned phase-out of diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040 to 2035 – and appeared to rely on the achievements of past governments to burnish the UK’s green credentials.

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The Guardian, 6 Feb 2020: Johnson urged to set out firm plans for UK's net-zero carbon target