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Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 12:40 GMT by BBC
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Britain unveils its most ambitious climate plan yet: a 70 % emissions cut by 2035

In a landmark speech delivered at the UK’s Climate Action Summit on Friday, Prime Minister Sir Henry Whitaker announced a sweeping set of measures that will slash the country’s greenhouse‑gas emissions by 70 % by 2035 – a target that exceeds the previous 2030 pledge of 55 % set out in the 2008 Climate Change Act. The plan, which the government is calling “the most ambitious in Britain’s history,” will be implemented through a combination of new legislation, financial incentives and a radical overhaul of the nation’s energy, transport and industrial sectors.

A new legislative framework

At the core of the proposal is the Carbon Budgets Act 2024, which will replace the existing 2020 framework and bind future carbon budgets to the 2035 target. The bill will set out a series of increasingly stringent budget limits, with the 2025‑2030 period capped at 65 % of 1990 levels and the 2030‑2035 window at 45 %. The Act will also give the newly established Carbon Reduction Commission the power to enforce compliance, issue penalties for non‑compliance and recommend further measures as needed.

“We have a clear road map now,” Whitaker said. “The Carbon Budgets Act will give the government the tools to enforce the climate commitments we made to our citizens and to the planet.” He added that the legislation would “make the UK a global example for climate leadership, while safeguarding our economy and jobs.”

The article on BBC News that prompted this summary links directly to the full text of the Carbon Budgets Act 2024, allowing readers to explore the bill’s provisions in detail. The piece also references the UK’s historical Climate Change Act 2008, which was the first piece of legislation in the world to bind a nation to a net‑zero target, and notes that the new Act builds on that foundation.

Renewable energy and net‑zero

Under the new plan, the UK will double its renewable energy capacity to 100 GW by 2030, largely through offshore wind, solar PV and tidal projects. The government will also accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, aiming to install 20 million charging points nationwide by 2035. In the industrial sector, the plan calls for a national carbon capture and storage (CCS) programme that will capture up to 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2035, with a focus on cement, steel and chemical production.

The BBC article links to a feature on the UK Climate Change Committee’s recent report, which praised the government’s new targets as “a bold step forward” but cautioned that “significant investment will be required to deliver the necessary technology upgrades.” The report also highlighted the importance of protecting biodiversity and ensuring that the transition to a low‑carbon economy is just and inclusive.

Economic implications and stakeholder responses

Economists and environmental NGOs have reacted to the plan with a mix of optimism and caution. The Green Finance Institute praised the government’s commitment, stating that “the 2035 target will unlock new markets for green technology and generate thousands of high‑quality jobs.” In contrast, the National Association of Energy Suppliers (NAES) warned that the rapid shift away from fossil fuels could lead to short‑term price volatility for consumers.

The article includes a sidebar linking to an interview with Dr. Priya Shah, a leading climate economist at the University of Cambridge, who explained that “the key to success will be a balanced approach that couples aggressive emission reductions with robust support for affected communities.” Dr. Shah also highlighted that the UK’s decision to remain on track with the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – despite the post‑Brexit regulatory gap – would help ensure a level playing field for British companies.

International context

Britain’s announcement follows the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, where the UK pledged to raise its finance commitments to developing nations. The BBC piece references a related article that covered the COP28 outcomes, noting that Britain’s new domestic plan will be “aligned with the global goals set by the Paris Agreement.” The article also links to a statement from the United Nations Secretary‑General, who praised the UK for “setting a courageous example for the rest of the world.”

What comes next?

The Prime Minister announced that the government will launch a national Climate Investment Fund within the next 12 months, aimed at subsidising the development of renewable projects, CCS technology and EV infrastructure. He also pledged to work with the Office for Nuclear Regulation to accelerate the licensing of new nuclear reactors, which he identified as “a reliable, low‑carbon backbone to the energy mix.”

The article ends by encouraging readers to join a public consultation on the new Carbon Budgets Act, providing links to the UK government’s consultation page. It also offers a brief timeline of the upcoming legislative milestones, including the first parliamentary debate on the Act scheduled for June 2025.

In sum, the BBC’s coverage paints a comprehensive picture of Britain’s most ambitious climate agenda to date: a 70 % reduction in emissions by 2035, a new legal framework to enforce the target, massive investment in renewables and carbon capture, and a clear plan to keep the country’s economy and communities on the path to net‑zero. The piece not only reports the government’s announcements but also invites readers to explore the related policy documents, expert analyses and international context that will shape the journey ahead.

Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqlzwqv7xz1o ]