§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has, following the United Kingdom's commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emission levels in 2000 to the level in 1990 for the emission levels beyond 2000.
§ Mr. MacleanThe United Nations framework convention on climate change contains provision for further commitments to be agreed for limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the period beyond 2000. The commitments in the convention must be reviewed at the first meeting of the convention's conference of parties, again not later than the end of 1998, and periodically thereafter.
For the present, the Government have no specific objectives for emissions beyond 2000. However measures taken as part of the programme to limit emissions by 2000 are likely to have a continuing effect on emissions thereafter. And, given that there is likely to be a continuing************************************* 623W need to restrain emissions, the Government are looking at the options for containing emissions in the longer term and are carrying out research where necessary. Interim advice has already been given to local planning authorities on how land use planning might influence the need to travel and choice of travel mode, and hence affect CO2 emissions from transport in the longer term.