20 November 2007
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has outlined future increases of UK renewable energy use, in his first major speech on the environment.
A firm commitment was made to matching the EU's target of member states cutting carbon emissions by 20% before 2020 - which will mean big increases in the use of solar, wind and wave power to generate electricity.
Speaking at a meeting hosted by the World Wildlife Fund, Mr Brown forecast further big changes in the UK energy industry by committing once more to the 60% cut in emissions by 2050 proposed in the latest Queen's Speech.
"Our vision has one overriding aim: holding the rise in global average temperature to no more than two degrees centigrade," he said.
"This requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak within the next 10 to 15 years and be cut at least by half by 2050."
He added: "The climate change crisis is the product of many generations, but overcoming it must be the great project of this generation. And it will have to involve not just Europe and America but the entire community of nations."
The Prime Minister's speech has met with approval from environmentalists.
"He is finding his voice on the issue," Steve Howard of the Climate Group told Reuters.
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