UK forced to confront slippage on CO2 goal

The British government has admitted it likely to miss a self-imposed target to slash 20% off national carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2010. The admission comes in a consultation document published on Wednesday.

The timing is embarrassing. It comes as global climate talks get underway in Buenos Aires and just weeks before the UK assumes the presidency of the G8, a forum in which prime minister Tony Blair has pledged to promote climate action.