UK sets out ambitious new climate target at COP29

Part of the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that must be published by countries under the COP process, the 81 per cent figure is measured against 1990 emissions levels. The government claims the target is in line with the recommendation of the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee and the country's share of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, although it excludes emissions from aviation and shipping.  

By committing to a national target compatible with the 1.5°C figure set out in the Paris Agreement, the UK is strengthening its hand at the COP29 talks, where it hopes to encourage other countries to bolster their own climate action.

Worldwide, emissions need to fall by 43 per cent by 2030 to stay on course with the Paris target. However, global emissions are still rising, with the most optimistic NDC scenario leading to around a 5.9 per cent cut by 2030. The UK’s negotiations, led by energy secretary Ed Miliband, will seek greater ambition from countries ahead of the next NDC deadline in February 2025. 

“By committing to this target, and to supporting other countries via the NDC Partnership, the UK is stepping up as a climate frontrunner at a time when such leadership is critically needed,” said Nick Mabey, co-founder and CEO of climate thinktank E3G.

“We hope to see detailed implementation plans — ideally with sectoral commitments and a supporting investment roadmap —to lend credibility to its submission. The target, reinforced by a robust legal framework with independent oversight reporting to Parliament, exemplifies how countries can advance ambitious transitions with clear plans and strong domestic governance. Other nations should follow suit with high-ambition targets similarly underpinned by clear sectoral plans and strong domestic governance as they submit their own targets."

The UK’s announcement comes at a crucial time for the COP process, with many world leaders declining to attend this year’s edition, hosted by petro-state Azerbaijan. The recent election of climate denier Donald Trump for a second term as US president is also viewed by many as catastrophic for global climate action. It’s anticipated that Trump will withdraw the US – the country with the highest per capita emissions - from the COP negotiations and look to significantly expand US fossil fuel production.   

“The ambitious announcements of Keir Starmer are a welcome boost for the COP meeting and will encourage other countries to accelerate their drive to net zero emissions,” said Prof Mark Maslin, a Professor of Climatology at UCL.

“The beginning of the COP meeting has been overshadowed by the news of a second Trump presidency and the likelihood that he will pull the US out of the negotiations. Starmer's announcements are timely showing that the UK is back leading the world with climate action. Because the UK government realises that switching to a clean green economy is good for people's health, security and boosts growth.”