§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to introduce measures to ensure that the emission levels agreed at the Kyoto summit are achieved. [58717]
§ Mr. MeacherOn 26 October the UK became one of the first developed countries to launch a consultation paper on policy options for meeting its Kyoto commitment. The paper lists the steps the Government have already taken to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and sets out in detail further options. It demonstrates that the UK is well placed to meet both its legally binding Kyoto target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012 and the domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in CO2 emissions by 2010. Following the consultation exercise, we shall develop a new climate change programme in good time for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.