UK Labour leader Keir Starmer is set to announce a bold climate target to cut UK emissions by 81% from 1990 levels by 2035, in line with the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations. The target will be one of the first nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to be unveiled at COP29 in Azerbaijan this week, where nearly 200 countries are gathered to address climate finance and emission reduction strategies.
Starmer’s plan focuses on decarbonizing the power sector, expanding offshore wind, and investing in carbon capture, storage, and nuclear energy. This target aligns with rising calls for climate action, as underscored by recent warnings from the World Meteorological Organization, which declared that 2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record. Activists like Friends of the Earth urge that Starmer’s pledge should be a “floor, not a ceiling” for the UK’s ambition, emphasizing that the existing 2030 commitments are “off course” and need a concrete roadmap.
The COP29 summit has also seen a breakthrough on carbon offsets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This agreement, designed to make carbon offsets a viable financial mechanism for climate action in developing countries, was met with mixed reactions. Critics warn that without rigorous rules, carbon credits could enable wealthier nations to delay local emission reductions, undermining the integrity of climate goals. Negotiations on climate finance, including a proposal to mobilize $1 trillion annually by 2035, will continue, though significant concerns about implementation and accountability remain.
