§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the European Environment Agency regarding greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on changes in the level of such gases in European Union member states since January 2001. [113474]
§ Mr. MacShaneMy right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions with the European Environment Agency regarding greenhouse gases.
The UK Government are a European leader in taking action on climate change. Latest published data for 2001 show that the UK has achieved reductions of 12.3 per cent. below 1990 levels in emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister recently announced the UK's intention to put itself on a path to reduce our emissions of carbon dioxide by some 60 per cent. by 2050. In line with this commitment, the Prime Minister has pressed other EU member states to take similar action and go beyond their Kyoto target.
The EU as a whole has met its target under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2000. Latest published data show that greenhouse gas emissions for EU15 were 2.3 per cent. below 1990 levels in 2001.