Climate change bill should be stricter, says committee

The UK's Climate Change Committee today recommended that carbon emissions be cut by 80 per cent over the next 40 years.

Writing to Edward Milliband, the energy and climate change secretary, the committee's chairman Adair Turner stated that the change was viable and should be implemented within all business sectors.

Currently, the target stands at 60 per cent, but the committee expressed the opinion that this can be taken further as the impact of global warming is worse than previously believed.

Mr Turner said that this new target may be difficult, but it is also "feasible" and should cover all industries, including aviation and shipping.

"Climate change poses a huge potential threat to human welfare. If we do not act soon […] it will become too late to avoid serious and potentially catastrophic consequences," he furthered.

Citing the environment as a "naturally high priority", car firm Volvo has announced that it is to install more of its models with emission-reducing technology as well as introducing a new hybrid car in 2011.