UK carbon emissions have already been cut by more than 25% on 1990 and should exceed the 34% target set for the first 15 years under the Climate Change Act, the latest Carbon Plan released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change shows.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said achieving a 50% cut in emissions by the mid-2020s will not have any additional cost implications during this parliament, but beyond that will require a decade of mass deployment of key energy technologies.

“Every bit of progress we make is one more step away from import dependency, away from price volatility and from the emissions that threaten our way of life,” Huhne said.
“Our national economic interest is to be found in a cost-effective transition to low carbon, to an economy that is more resilient, innovative and efficient.”

He said the government was still behind plans to decarbonise the UK’s power supply through 40-70 GW of new low carbon generating capacity including the equivalent of 3 to 5 twin reactor stations of the type recently applied for at Hinkley Point C; 3 to 5 times as much renewable power than currently installed and CCS technology on up to 10GW of fossil fuel plant.