Isra-Mart srl : Cabinet deal over carbon budgets includes "get-out clause"

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Isra-Mart news:

The Cabinet-level row over whether to accept the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC's) recommendations for the fourth budget was resolved only after ministers agreed that the ambitious new emissions targets will include a "get-out clause", according to BBC reports.

The coalition has reportedly decided to accept the CCC's recommendations, signing the UK up to targets requiring that greenhouse gas emissions are cut 50 per cent against 1990 levels by 2025, despite opposition from Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

The carbon budget was expected to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting today, but the row threatened to become so severe that the issue was instead addressed at a series of private meetings over the weekend with Prime Minister David Cameron reportedly playing a direct role in brokering an agreement.

The move, which is expected to be announced tomorrow, represents a major victory for Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who are said to have led efforts to face down ministerial opponents concerned that the targets would damage carbon intensive industry and harm the UK's competitiveness.

However, according to the BBC, the final agreement was reached only after supporters of the CCC's recommendations agreed to a "get-out clause".

Reports claim that, under the terms of the new budget, the UK's targets will be reviewed if the EU fails to deliver on its own emission reduction goals.

It remains to be seen whether the review will be triggered if the EU fails to meet its current official target of delivering a 20 per cent target by 2020, mooted targets for a 25 or 30 per cent cut by 2020, or proposed targets for post-2020 that are currently the subject of negotiations in Brussels.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins welcomed the news that the recommended budget will be accepted, but warned against the inclusion of a "get out clause".

"We're delighted Chris Huhne appears to have won his battle for tougher action
on climate change - but introducing a 'get out clause' could dent business
confidence in green investment," he said. "Fast-tracking the drive towards a low carbon economy will create new jobs and business opportunities and wean the nation off our costly addiction to fossil fuels."