May’s law for ‘zero emissions’ by 2050

Theresa May will today press ahead with plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 despite warnings about the huge cost.

Britain will become the first major economy to put the target into law as one of the Prime Minister’s last acts in No10. she argued it was ‘crucial’ to ensure we protect our planet for future generations.

Ahead of the announcement, Chancellor Philip Hammond raised fears in a leaked letter to Mrs May that the move will cost Britain more than £1trillion.

He warned it could mean less money for schools, police, hospitals and other areas of public spending. But Mrs May yesterday insisted that ‘now is the time to go further and faster to safeguard the environment for our children’.

The Government’s advisory Committee on Climate Change has recommended putting the target into law.

emissions would have to be largely eliminated from electricity generation, transport and heating, with a switch to renewables, electric vehicles and an end to domestic gas-fired boilers. Any remaining pollution by 2050 will need to be offset through measures to capture carbon, such as planting trees.

‘Mrs May said last night: ‘ As the first country to legislate for long-term climate targets, we can be truly proud of our record in tackling climate change.

‘This country led the world in innovation during the Industrial revolution, and now we must lead the world to a cleaner, greener form of growth. standing by is not an option.’ CBI director general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, backed the move, calling it ‘the right response to the global climate crisis’. ‘ Climate leadership can drive Uk competitiveness and secure long-term prosperity,’ she added.

In his letter, Mr Hammond backed setting a net-zero target, but he warned that households would have to replace gas boilers with alternatives such as heat pumps, which cost ‘three times more’.