Environmental analysis news: UK 'needs to press on' with emissions cuts

Britain needs to lead the way with emissions cuts and make the shift towards a low-carbon economy, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Following the publication of the Environmental Audit Committee's report into carbon budgets today (January 11th), the CBI has urged UK companies to begin cutting their emissions, despite the lack of legally binding targets.

Dr Neil Bentley, director of business and environment at the organisation, commented: "Businesses are excited by the opportunities the shift to a low-carbon economy could open up."

He added that Britain must continue with its own emissions reduction plans and called for "a big push on energy efficiency and serious investment in a broad mix of low-carbon power generation".

According to the Environmental Audit Committee, the UK needs to cut its CO2 emissions by 42 per cent by 2020, relative to 1990 levels, while its 2020 levels must leave the country on track to achieve an 80 per cent reduction by 2050.

Posted by Joseph Hutton