What are the CO2 emissions reduction targets, and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme?
Many natural and human-made gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere (greenhouse gases), which are accepted to be the cause of global climate change. Combating climate change is one of the most serious environmental challenges that we face as the effects are wide-ranging across the globe, and include social, economic and environmental effects. The Government and the international community recognise the challenge and the responsibility we have to combat this. The Kyoto Protocol (1997) established legally binding emissions reductions for developed countries, and under this as part of the EU, the UK has a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2012. The UK Government has also set a domestic goal of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions below 1990 levels by 2010. In order to achieve these targets, the Government has put in place a package of measures under the UK Climate Change Programme. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme forms part of this programme.
