§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what specific policy decisions have so far been taken by the Government to deliver the new commitments to the reduction of greenhouse gases that he gave in Tokyo on behalf of the Government. [24707]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Kyoto Protocol set a legally-binding target for the European Union of an 8 per cent. overall reduction in the emissions of six greenhouse gases between 2008 and 2012, compared with 1990. Under our Presidency of the European Union we aim to share out this target between Member States, and to take forward proposals for common and co-ordinated policies and measures. Our priority within the UK will then be to ensure that we achieve our legally binding target.
We have already taken action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The Chancellor announced in the July Budget, that the real increase in fuel duty would be raised to 6 per cent., a year. Later this year we will be consulting on a programme of policies and measures to meet our legally binding target and launch a national debate on moving towards our domestic aim of a 20 per cent. cut in emissions.