Energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey has confirmed that the government will not amend the Fourth Carbon Budget, resisting reported pressure from the chancellor George Osborne.
The announcement means that the carbon budget will stay at its existing level of 1950MtCO2 equivalent from 2023 to 2027.
In a statement, Davey said: “Having conducted a detailed review, it is clear that the evidence does not support amending the budget. Any revision now would be premature, especially in light of the ongoing negotiations in the EU to agree a domestic 40% GHG reduction target for 2030 by October this year based on the Commission proposals published in January 2014.
“As business groups have made clear, retaining the budget at its existing level provides certainty for businesses and investors by demonstrating government’s commitment to our long-term decarbonisation goals,” added Davey.
Taking to Twitter, a number of green groups, businesses and individuals welcomed Davey’s move:
Everyone who cares about the future of the planet should be thanking Edward Davey today for his work to secure the 4th Carbon Budget.
— Jennifer Webber (@jennifercwebber) July 22, 2014
DECC confirms 4th carbon budget to be maintained: http://t.co/7FGubRBGTy. Right decision at this time: all eyes on EU negotiations now
— CBI climate change (@CBI_CC) July 22, 2014
We've saved the 4th carbon budget! Victory for common sense – well done to many #libdem MPs & @EdwardDaveyMP for their work on this
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) July 22, 2014
A bad day to be George Osborne. Fourth carbon budget saved. http://t.co/iWp8je76Ag pic.twitter.com/bQnGwTsLJT
— David Powell (@powellds) July 22, 2014
Great news for #renewables: @EdwardDaveyMP has confirmed the Fourth Carbon Budget in line with @theCCCuk advice https://t.co/b6fAOEj11s
— REA (@REAssociation) July 22, 2014
Davey believes that the Fourth Carbon Budget demonstrates the UK’s commitment to hitting its target for an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050. Osborne had reportedly pushed for a watering down of the carbon budget in order to pave the way for new gas-fired capacity to expand during the 2020s.
“Today’s decision cements the UK’s place as a global leader in combating climate change, which will allow us to play a central role in delivering a global deal to combat climate change at the end of 2015,” concluded Davey.