Carbon Dioxide Emissions

HC Deb 18 June 1997 vol 296 cc170-1W

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the current United Kingdom target of 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 is dependent on other EU countries meeting their targets; and if he will make a statement. [3209]

Mr. Meacher

The Government has set itself a challenging domestic target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. from 1990 levels by 2010 and we are currently looking at the policy options which could contribute towards that target.

Backed by our target, we shall press for an agreement at the Kyoto Climate Change Conference which sees challenging targets for all developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2000. However, we do not propose to take on a higher, legally-binding target under the Climate Change Convention so that other EU Countries can have lower targets.