(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said there is "no time to waste" on climate action as he called on world leaders to put forward ambitious commitments to tackle the crisis.
Johnson also promised to set out plans for driving UK action in comments marking a year until the UK hosts the United Nations "Cop26" climate summit. The event was meant to be held this November but was delayed by the pandemic.
The keenly-awaited "10 point plan" from Downing Street on a green industrial revolution is expected to outline action in areas such as cutting emissions from transport, electricity and buildings, and the use of hydrogen and other new technology.
Johnson has already highlighted plans to have every home in the country powered by offshore wind within 10 years as part of the plan.
The UK has a legal target to cut greenhouse gases to "net zero" by 2050, with huge cuts to emissions and any remaining pollution offset by measures such as planting trees, and has sought to position itself as a world leader on the issue.
In December the UK is co-hosting a climate action summit for world leaders to bring forward more ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net zero targets ahead of next year's Cop26 meeting.
International climate action has received a series of boosts in recent weeks, including China's pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060 and the US presidential election victory for Joe Biden who has made it a priority.
Johnson said: "There is no greater duty for any nation than protecting our people and our planet.
"The pandemic has brought this into sharp focus, but climate change will remain the most enduring threat to the futures of our children and grandchildren – and the world we're fighting for – if we do not act.
"We are one year out from hosting the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, bringing countries together to agree bold action to confront global warming.
"There is no time to waste. That's why I'll be setting out my ten-point plan shortly which will not only create thousands of British jobs, but also invigorate our plans to achieve net zero by 2050.
"And that's why I'm calling on world leaders to put forward their own ambitious commitments to help eradicate our contributions to climate change, before we meet in Scotland next November."
Countries are expected to submit more ambitious plans to cut emissions under the Paris Climate Agreement, as current proposals do not go far enough to prevent dangerous temperature rises and the worst impacts such as drought, sea level rises, extreme weather and wildlife loss.
The UK also has to submit new plans, known as "nationally determined contributions", as it is no longer covered by the EU's efforts in the wake of Brexit, and officials say the plans are currently being reviewed.
Greenpeace UK's senior climate campaigner, Paul Morozzo, said: "Boris Johnson is right to call on world leaders to waste no time in setting out their commitments to cut carbon emissions, but the prime minister's actions will carry far more weight than his words.
"This is why it's so important that the UK Government lays out a world-leading plan to cut climate-wrecking emissions from every sector of our economy and society, including a phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.
"There's no vaccine against climate change. The real breakthrough has to come from political will, real action, and smart diplomacy, and next year's climate summit in Glasgow is our best chance to make it happen."
Katie White, executive director of advocacy and campaigns at WWF-UK, claimed the world was at the point where words were not enough, saying: "We need urgent action".
"We eagerly await the government's plans towards a net-zero future, and all the benefits that will bring to both people and the planet.
"We hope to see clear evidence that the UK will be stepping up its ambition and leadership, ahead of hosting the climate summit in Glasgow next year.
"Lacklustre action is not an option if we are to preserve the planet for future generations," she said.
By Emily Beament, PA Environment Correspondent
source: PA
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