UK adopts world's first binding carbon targets

The UK parliament has adopted a draft law on climate change that sets the world's first legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  The law cleared its final legislative hurdle on Tuesday and is expected to receive "royal assent" - formal approval from the British monarch - next week.

Under the law, the government will be required to reduce Britain's carbon dioxide emissions by 26 per cent by 2020, and cut all greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 (EED 20/10/08).  The latter target also covers the aviation and shipping sectors.