LONDON - Britain on Thursday delayed by six months the launch of a revised climate change strategy as it tries to get back on track to meet ambitious goals on curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Environment minister Elliot Morley said a new climate change programme would be ready by the end of the year, giving government more time to assess the future role of energy efficiency, carbon dioxide (CO2) trading and other measures in meeting its domestic CO2 reduction targets.
Current projections show existing policies will leave Britain short of a targeted 20 percent cut in CO2 by 2010.
"The climate change review is an absolute priority for the government," he said. "The government is absolutely committed to its domestic goals (on CO2 reduction)."
"If we don't take any action we will not achieve those targets," he added.
Thursday's move comes as Prime Minister Tony Blair puts climate change at the heart of his year-long presidency of the Group of Eight industrial nations.
Recent data showed Britain cutting CO2 emissions by 11-14 percent by 2010, well short of the 20 percent goal, Morley said. Britain wants to cut CO2 emissions by 60 percent by 2050.
Soaring gas prices have prompted power generators to burn more coal, which is cheaper, in the last couple of years. The switch away from gas has pushed up emissions and forced the government to rethink its climate change policies.
Despite slipping domestic goals, Britain remains on track to meets greenhouse gas targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
Morley said delaying the climate programme would allow the government to take into greater consideration the impact of CO2 limits to be imposed on industry in phase two of the European Union's emissions trading scheme.
Story by Stuart Penson
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
