Pledge to cut UK emissions by 81% by 2035 receives praise, but critics urge clearer action plans to achieve the target

Keir Starmer is set to announce a bold new climate goal for the UK at Cop29, with a pledge to cut emissions by 81% compared to 1990 levels by 2035. The target aligns with the advice from the UK’s Climate Change Committee, which has long recommended stringent emissions cuts to address the climate crisis. This ambitious goal, which will be one of the first nationally determined contributions (NDCs) unveiled at the crucial UN climate summit in Azerbaijan, positions the UK as a leader in climate action.

The plan focuses on decarbonising the power sector, expanding offshore wind energy, and investing in technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) and nuclear energy. Starmer’s government hopes the ambitious target will set an example for other nations, particularly as global attention turns to how each country will contribute to meeting climate goals.

However, the announcement has drawn mixed reactions. While some environmental groups have welcomed the target, others are calling for more concrete action to ensure the goal is met. Friends of the Earth’s head of campaigns, Rosie Downes, acknowledged that the 2035 pledge was a step in the right direction but argued that deeper, faster cuts were needed. “The need for climate leadership by the UK has never been more urgent,” Downes said. She emphasised that the plan must be backed by a clear strategy for implementation, especially as the UK’s 2030 climate targets are currently off track.

The urgency of climate action was highlighted earlier this week by the World Meteorological Organization, which reported that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record. At Cop29, global leaders have been urged to make more ambitious commitments, with many countries still yet to present their NDCs. In the lead-up to the summit, criticism has grown over the lack of strong targets, with some countries accused of “greenwashing” their climate pledges.

The UK’s early announcement of its emissions target stands in stark contrast to some other major nations, such as the United States, China, and Germany, whose leaders have opted not to attend the summit due to domestic political concerns. The absence of these leaders, including President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has raised questions about the level of commitment from the world’s biggest emitters.

As the summit progresses, attention will also be focused on climate finance, with a key goal of securing $1 trillion annually to help poorer nations adapt to climate change. This figure is seen as essential to bridging the gap between what is currently promised and what is needed to combat the impacts of rising global temperatures.

Azerbaijan, the host country for Cop29, has already achieved some early wins by securing an agreement on carbon offset rules, designed to allow developed countries to pay for emissions reductions in developing nations. While seen as a breakthrough, critics have warned that the deal may lack sufficient safeguards to prevent abuses, such as human rights violations or ineffective carbon offset projects.

As the summit continues, civil society groups remain cautious about the effectiveness of carbon markets in delivering real change, with some urging that stronger regulations be put in place to maintain the integrity of the Paris Agreement and ensure that climate finance reaches those most in need.

SKY NEWS

Sir Keir Starmer has urged the private sector to take greater responsibility in funding global climate change initiatives as he heads to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. In a press briefing ahead of the summit, Starmer made it clear that while the UK government would honour its previous financial commitments, including the £11.6bn pledged by prior administrations, it would not make new financial pledges. He emphasized the need for businesses to step up and “start paying their fair share” in addressing climate change.

The UK has previously committed to helping developing countries tackle climate change, but with the country facing financial constraints, Starmer pointed to the private sector as a key player in the funding of climate action. He confirmed that the UK would uphold its promises made at past COP meetings, but refrained from committing new funds or additional monetary support at this summit.

Starmer’s comments come as there are calls for a global $1 trillion financing deal to assist poorer nations in cutting emissions and meeting climate targets. At COP29, discussions will focus on future climate finance strategies up to 2035, though the UK has indicated it will not make new commitments during this conference. The government’s stance highlights a broader push for private sector involvement in financing global climate goals.

THE TELEGRAPH

At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged up to £200 million in government funding to offshore wind companies. The aim is to encourage them to establish manufacturing facilities in traditional oil and gas regions, supporting the transition to clean energy. This funding initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote a green industrial revolution, with a focus on revitalising areas historically dependent on fossil fuels.

Wind farms could be eligible for up to £27 million per gigawatt of offshore projects, which is expected to boost the UK’s offshore wind capacity and create new job opportunities in regions impacted by the decline of the oil and gas industries. This move is seen as an effort to align the country’s energy policy with climate change goals while also supporting economic growth in communities historically reliant on fossil fuel industries.

The announcement marks a significant push from Starmer’s government to balance clean energy development with regional economic revitalisation, and it highlights the UK’s commitment to green energy innovation. Further details on the government’s clean industry bonus will be unveiled during the summit.