Lyn Brown MP met with Ed Miliband following his announcement to cut UK greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

In a bold move, which has been praised by environmentalists, Ed Miliband, Secretary of  State for the new Energy and Climate Change Department has announced that the government is increasing its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 60% to 80% by 2050.

The new target will be written into the Climate Change Bill going through Parliament making Britain the first country in world to legally commit itself to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

This commitment follows the recommendation by the Government’s Climate Change Committee that were tasked with looking at whether the previous 60% target was sufficient last year. The committee said a more stringent target than the 60 % cut currently in the Climate Change Bill was needed, because new information suggested the dangers of global warming were greater than previously thought.                                            

Lord Turner, Chair of the Climate Change committee warned “If we do not act soon, in developed and developing countries, it will become too late to avoid serious and potentially catastrophic consequences. That is why it is so vital that a global deal is reached on climate change and that the UK contributes significantly towards this.”

West Ham MP, Lyn Brown agreed with Ed Miliband who said that despite the current tough economic conditions, this could not be an excuse to "row back" on the commitment to tackle global warming.

Lyn Brown MP said:

“I’m proud that the Government has taken this tough decision to increase the greenhouse gas reduction target to 80% by 2050.  This is yet another move by Labour that demonstrates its commitment to combating climate change.

I’m delighted that with the creation of the new Energy and Climate Change Department and the appointment of my Labour Colleague Ed Miliband, the issue of climate change will have a stronger voice and focus in Government.

With this government being the first in the world to put carbon reduction targets into law, Britain is once again leading the way in tackling global challenges. I look forward to voting these targets into law in the House of Commons and will continue to support measures that improve the UK’s commitment to fighting climate change”.