LONDON — Britain’s outgoing prime minister on Wednesday announced plans to eliminate the country’s net contribution to climate change by 2050 as Europe’s effort to slow global warming picked up speed. The amendment to the 2008 Climate Change Act will intensify Britain’s push to drastically reduce carbon emissions. “Reaching net zero by 2050 is an ambitious target, but it is crucial that we achieve it to ensure we protect our planet for future generations.” The government’s Committee on Climate Change says the change will help public health by reducing air and noise pollution and also help biodiversity. The ambitious goal, set in the 2015 Paris accord, is seen as the best chance of preventing potentially catastrophic effects of climate change, from sea level rise to increases in extreme weather. Smaller European countries, including the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden already have the “net zero’” target enshrined in domestic laws, some of which are more ambitious than the U.K. proposal.

Source: Washington Post June 12, 2019 08:07 UTC