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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to announce emissions reductions targets for greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide; and if she will make a statement. [177952] Mr. Morley: The UK has a target under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008-12. The six gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. The Government have also set itself a domestic goal of moving towards a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010 and is putting the UK on a path to a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. The Government have no current plans to set itself targets to reduce emissions of other greenhouse gases. The UK's domestic goals focus on carbon dioxide, as it is the most important greenhouse gas in the UK, accounting for 85 per cent. of the direct global warming potential of emissions in 2002. Although we have not set a target beyond 2008-12 for non-CO2 greenhouse gases, we will continue with our efforts to reduce emissions of all greenhouse gases.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

177952; 422 c952W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Air pollution Climate change Carbon dioxide Hydrofluorocarbons Pollution control Standards Climate Change Convention Methane Nitrous oxide Pollutants Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances Sulphur hexafluoride

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk