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Is it feasible for the UK to cut its emissions by 30%?

As proposed to the EU (by the U.K. Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt)

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100115-705665.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlinesBy Bernd Radowitz

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES


SEVILLE, Spain (Dow Jones)--The European Union should stick to its offer to increase its target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions if other countries come up with similarly ambitious targets, U.K. Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt said Friday.

"We've always wanted to go to 30% alongside comparable offers from other countries. That remains our policy," Hunt said. "We will be working very hard in Europe with our colleagues to argue our points."

Hunt spoke to Dow Jones Newswires at the sidelines of a meeting of EU energy ministers that will be followed by a meeting of environment ministers Saturday, which is slated to discuss in more detail the EU's future climate change strategy after the near-failure of the Copenhagen summit.

The EU targets a 20% reduction of greenhouse gases from 1990 levels, and at the December climate summit in Copenhagen said it would boost that target to 30% if others went along.

Although other countries or regions in the world didn't match the EU's proposal in Copenhagen, Europe should "show a leadership position" through ambitious offers, Hunt said.

He added EU ministers in Seville will discuss which concrete offers to make by the end of January in the wake of the Copenhagen accord, a non-binding agreement to lower emissions.


-By Bernd Radowitz, Dow Jones Newswires, +34-91-395-8125, bernd.radowitz@dowjones.com
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HOW CAN THE UK TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE?
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Does UK need to alter its policy to achieve emissions reduction goals?
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Is it feasible for the UK to cut its emissions by 30%?
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Individs, Business and Govs should be responsible for CO2 emissions
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Everyone can contribute to carbon management, but we need leadership.
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We won't know as effects won't be felt for years due to natural lag!
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Yes as the UK just awarded contracts to build new windfarms (Jan 2010)
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Yes, cuts needed as UK 8th in world for CO2 emissions from energy use!
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Not as much as other EU countries. I think the UK is doing well
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What are the current policies and what needs to change?
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Need a better scheme than the current emissions trading!!
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Can't fight nature, there are more important issues - unemployment
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