Minister plans environmental legislation change

The Department of Energy and Climate Change is to make developments to environmental legislation in order to reach 2050 emission targets.

Yesterday (July 27th), energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne set out 32 actions as part of the 2050 Pathways initiative to improve the renewable energy system and advance climate change policies.

The pathways are aimed at cutting the UK's carbon emissions by 80 per cent over the next 40 years.

Mr Huhne said: "Our future energy system is too important to rely on crystal ball gazing. The 2050 Calculator provides the most comprehensive, long term analysis ever undertaken by the government."

He added that the challenge is "achievable", saying that the UK is on target to reach its 2020 goals of cutting emissions by 34 per cent.

The MP suggested that six pathways are intended to introduce "transparency, certainty and long-termism needed to unlock investment" into renewable energy.

Earlier this week, the Committee on Climate Change called the government to take further action to improve funding of low-carbon technologies.

Posted by Joseph Hutton