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The UK can cut its CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 according to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), WWF and the RSPB.

The research, published ahead of the second reading of the Climate Change Bill, includes emissions from international aviation, and applies environmental safeguards on the use of biofuels and wind energy. It also examines the implications of excluding new nuclear power.

According to the research, an 80 per cent cut in CO2 by 2050 would mean a slow down in economic growth of 2-3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But the economy would still triple in size and reach the same level as it would on a business-as-usual scenario by spring 2052, less than two years later. In contrast, the Stern Review concluded that taking no action on the impacts of climate change could reduce global GDP by 5-20 per cent.

The research uses the same models that were used by the Government in the 2007 Energy Review and in Sir Nicholas Stern’s Review of the economics of climate change. These models say that the UK should be able to reduce its emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 through:

* Switching to low-carbon technologies in the electricity sector through investing in wind power, biomass, hydro-electric and other renewables alongside a roll out of new Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies.
* Reducing emissions from the production of heat through a programme of energy efficiency and moving to the use of low-carbon electricity for heating.
* Improvements to surface transport emissions by greatly increased vehicle efficiency and moving towards use of advanced biofuels derived from sustainable sources.
* Significantly constraining the growth in aviation. Without such action, it will be difficult or even impossible for the UK to achieve an 80 per cent emissions reduction.

Lisa Harker, ippr’s Co-Director, said: 'The Government’s current target for carbon reductions of 60 per cent by 2050 is inadequate. If we are to play our part in preventing dangerous climate change, we need to be aiming for 80 per cent. For this to be achieved we would need a radical shift in the pace and scale of investment in low carbon technologies.'

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Thanks for the in Robert.
I'll be watching in 2050 to see if they reach the target.

Chocky A true friend is the best possession http://www.berylladd.com/ Cheers Chocky.