§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department(a) has undertaken and (b) plans to undertake about the action required to achieve a reduction of 60 per cent. in carbon dioxide emissions in the UK; and if he will publish it. [157428]
§ Mr. MeacherThe UK Climate Change Programme, published in November 2000, noted that the Government would review the options for longer term energy choices, considering the scale of emission reductions that might be needed in view of current projections for energy use and the scope and cost of low carbon on energy options that may exist to bridge the gap.
The Government have recently published a report commissioned from AEA Technology, "Role of Technology in Emissions Abatement Under the UN-FCCC: the Medium to Long Term", and has placed a copy in the Library of the House. The study says that cuts of 70 per cent. to 90 per cent. in carbon dioxide emissions are technically feasible over the next 50 to 100 years, but supportive policy decisions will be needed to achieve this.
376WMy Department also plans to commission a study this year to examine policy options for achieving cuts in greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2010, the time frame of the Climate Change Programme.
The findings of both studies will contribute towards the Government's response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report 2: "Energy—the Changing Climate".