London announced on Tuesday April 20 a substantial increase in its climate ambitions and was to reiterate them Thursday April 22 at the climate summit organized by US President Joe Biden. Boris Johnson’s government is committed to enshrining in British law the objective of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 from the 1990 emissions level, to achieve more quickly a zero carbon footprint by 2050 at the latest. “In this way, the United Kingdom will ensure its commitment, made within the framework of the Paris Agreement, to help limit global warming to 1.5 ° C”, said 10 Downing Street.
In addition, and for the first time, the British carbon footprint will take into account emissions from the air and maritime transport sectors, a long-standing demand of associations fighting against global warming. Already, in December 2020, London had been a pioneer, by committing to reduce national emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to the 1990 level.
“If we are serious about stopping climate change, then this has to be the year we take this fight really seriously. These 2020s will be remembered later as those during which world leaders managed to unite to turn the tide, or on the contrary as a missed opportunity ”, Mr Johnson was to declare Thursday, during his speech at the climate summit.
Obvious political motives
Boris Johnson wants to be the “greenest” of the G7 leaders. Arrived at 10 Downing Street in the summer of 2019, he inherited an already buoyant context: just before him, Prime Minister Theresa May had imposed the carbon neutral target for the United Kingdom in 2050, making the United Kingdom United the first Western country to enshrine this goal in law. The British conservative, until then little known for his pro-environmental convictions, has taken up the torch and since last year put the fight against global warming at the forefront of his concerns.
Its political motivations are obvious. The United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) is due to be held in Glasgow in November – London and the Scottish authorities hope to maintain a “physical” meeting despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Johnson wants to take the opportunity of this crucial meeting to show that the United Kingdom still weighs in the concert of nations, despite the Brexit. Incidentally, a diplomatic success in the Scottish economic capital would give him arguments in favor of the union of the United Kingdom, to counter the discourse of the Scottish separatists, who have the wind in their sails in the polls.
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