Chris Huhne briefs MPs on long-term carbon target |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13417997
Chris Huhne is setting out plans to cut carbon emissions in half by 2027 and change the way Britain produces energy.
The energy secretary - who is at the centre of a storm over claims he asked someone close to him to take speeding points for him - is briefing MPs on the UK's fourth "carbon budget".
He reportedly won a battle with Lib Dem colleague Vince Cable over the targets amid fears they will hurt the economy.
But they will include an "opt-out" if EU competitors fail on similar aims.
The decision will also be reviewed in 2014.
'Prime minister intervention'
The 2027 targets follow recommendations from the government's official advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change.
It has urged the UK to accept a global agreement roughly equating to an emissions cut of 50% - based on 1990 levels - by 2025.
The 2027 target, which is expected to be similar, forms part of reaching a longer-term aim of a 60% reduction by 2030.
The committee's chief executive, David Kennedy, said he was "delighted" the government had accepted its recommendations and that it would "ensure that we make the right investment choices, maximising long-term growth and reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels".
A leaked letter last week exposed a row between Mr Huhne and Business Secretary Vince Cable over the proposed targets.
Prime Minister David Cameron was reported to have intervened on the side of Mr Huhne after Mr Cable reportedly complained that the "too aggressive" targets would "burden" the UK economy.
As it emerged the Lib Dem ministers were apparently at loggerheads, a coalition of environmental groups issued a warning to Mr Cameron that he risked seriously undermining his pledge to lead the "greenest government ever" if he did not back the targets.
Labour leader Ed Miliband also seized on the evidence of internal disagreement, writing to the prime minister to say failing to agree them would send "a terrible signal" to business and the rest of the world.
Higher prices
Foreign Secretary William Hague put the case for strong carbon targets to keep up with countries like China in the move towards low-carbon energy, and to retain the UK's international moral leadership on the issue.
However, the BBC understands that the UK's main energy-using industries have secured key concessions from the government to ease the impact of higher electricity prices.
But consumer watchdog Which? has expressed concern that domestic customers will not be similarly shielded from price rises.
The Committee on Climate Change has forecast that to meet emissions targets the average household fuel bill will go up by £1 a week until 2020 when it will plateau out with no major rises after that.
Greenpeace has described the agreement as "rare victory for the green growth agenda" in the face of what it said was "vehement" opposition from the Treasury and the Department of Business.
But Friends of the Earth said Mr Huhne should have gone further and accepted advice to tighten the UK's existing 34% emissions reduction target, by 2020, to compensate for the cuts already achieved due to the recession.
A Department of Energy source defended the government's handling of the issue, arguing that it would be wrong to pre-empt discussions under way in the EU and the UK was still arguing to increase the EU 2020 target from 20% to 30%.
Mr Huhne is making a statement on the carbon budget to the Commons in person.
The plans were originally to be announced in a written ministerial statement, a move which had drawn criticism from Opposition MPs.
Shadow climate change secretary Meg Hillier had said it would "beggar belief" if Mr Huhne did not make a statement to the House on such a key issue - and claimed he might be a "bit afraid" to face MPs.
He is currently at the centre of media storm over allegations, being investigated by police, that he asked his someone close to him to take speeding points for him in 2003.
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