§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the United Kingdom's progress towards meeting its commitment under the Climate Change Convention to take measures aimed at returning carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
Earl FerrersWe have today published an update of the carbon dioxide chapter of the United Kingdom Climate Change Programme. The document, entitledProgress Report on Carbon Dioxide Emissions, sets out details of policy developments and progress since January 1994 on each of the measures in the programme aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The revised chapter reflects energy projections, published by the Department of Trade and Industry earlier this year, which indicate that carbon dioxide emissions will be 4 to 8% below 1990 levels by the year 2000. In the light of the latest evidence of man-made climate change and its effects, this is most welcome progress.
This rate of progress puts us at the forefront of international efforts to combat climate change and demonstrates once again the United Kingdom's determination not to promise more than it can deliver on environmental commitments, but to do better if at all possible.
We shall continue to put pressure on others to achieve real cuts, and to agree new commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the period beyond 2000.