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ARTICLE · 30 JULY 2021

UK Government Adopts Ambitious Sixth Carbon Budget

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The Climate Change Act 2008 requires the UK government to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions by 2050.

United KingdomEnvironment
Chris Papanicolaou
Chris Papanicolaou
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The Climate Change Act 2008 requires the UK government to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions by 2050. Progress toward this commitment is to be driven via a series of five-year carbon budgets. The sixth budget, imposed by the Carbon Budget Order 2021 (June 23, 2021), covers the years 2033-2037. It sets the budget at 965 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This goal has been highlighted as the world's most ambitious target, seeking GHG emission reductions of 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. It also includes, for the first time, the United Kingdom's share of international aviation and shipping GHG emissions. Government policy and action to support the necessary progress is, however, being suggested as lagging behind these eye-catching headlines.

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