Environmental analysis news: UK government 'to fall short' on carbon-reduction aims

The UK government will fail to meet its target of a 20 per cent reduction in carbon emissions over 1990 levels by 2010, according to a report released by Cambridge Econometrics.

Forecasts from the company predict that, while the recession will help the UK to lower its emissions, the 20 per cent target will be missed by a substantial margin.

According to Cambridge Econometrics' predictions, the UK will have achieved a 15.8 per cent drop in carbon emissions by 2010, with almost half (seven per cent) of that figure resulting from changes within the road transport, power generation and industry sectors.

Renewable energy targets set by the EU are also likely to be missed, according to the report.

EU guidelines require that by 2020, renewable energy should comprise at least 15 per cent of the total energy consumption within the country. By 2010, it is estimated that renewable sources will be generate 6.5 per cent of the UK's electricity.

Cambridge Econometrics was established in 1978 to carry out economic research. Its remit has since been expanded to include analysis and forecasting relating to energy markets and the environment as well as reports on specific regions and industrial sectors.

Posted by Joseph Hutton