UK Seventh Carbon Budget targets 87% emissions cut by 2042 as MPs push for more debate

The UK government has agreed to give MPs a half-day Commons debate on the Seventh Carbon Budget, which aims to cut emissions by 87% from 1990 levels by 2042. This follows criticism that the previous carbon budget received only 17 minutes of parliamentary scrutiny. The budget will now include international aviation and shipping emissions for the first time, addressing concerns that previous targets gave an incomplete picture of the UK's climate impact. Ministers have accepted the Climate Change Committee's recommendation but stopped short of moving more electricity policy costs onto general taxation to lower bills, a step the Environmental Audit Committee said was needed to make electrification affordable. The government pointed to existing moves like shifting the Renewables Obligation to the Exchequer but did not commit to further changes. The delivery plan, expected soon, will determine whether the targets translate into real emissions cuts without disproportionately hitting lower-income households.