Under the Government’s new plan, electric will be the only option for UK motorists looking to buy a new car in 15 years time.
“It is so encouraging to know that the present government has declared this year, the year, not of talking about it, not of alarming people, not of warning, but of action.” – Sir David Attenborough
This action brings the ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars forward by five years, to 2035. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps speaking at the Conservative conference in Manchester last September said “the government’s advisory committee on climate change has said 2035 is a date for which we should aim,” and that they “will need to test the arguments and work in partnership with industry to examine how to proceed.”
Subject to consultation with the industry, the ban could even come earlier if it’s found that a faster transition is possible. The ban will also include hybrids, something that the previous 2040 ban did not.
Summit announced
Boris Johnson, joined by Sir David Attenborough also launched a United Nations climate change summit (COP26) which will be held in Britain at the end of this year. COP26 will be held in Glasgow from 9th – 19th November 2020. “Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight against climate change,” Johnson said in a statement released by his office.
Currently, France plans to ban the sale of fossil fuel-powered cars by 2040 whilst Norway’s parliament aims for all cars to be zero emission by 2025, though this is a non-binding goal.
Speaking ahead of the summit launch, Johnson said “as we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year, so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions.”
“There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming – it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all.” – Boris Johnson
The UK will call for nations across the globe to reach net zero as early as possible, to be achieved through investment in cleaner technology, measures to improve resilience to the impacts of climate change, and the preservation and protection of natural habitats.
Do your part
World Land Trust have always understood that preserving and protecting natural habitats is paramount in tackling climate change. By funding the preservation of land, they provide permanent protection for threatened habitats locking in carbon which would otherwise be released, along with ensuring the continued absorption of carbon from the atmosphere.
One source of funds for the charity is from the Carbon Balanced Paper scheme. This initiative encourages companies to use papers and printers that have had their carbon impact balanced by World Land Trust. So not only are the carbon emissions of these companies reduced, but they raise funds to help World Land Trust preserve the world’s most endangered habitats.
Sir David Attenborough, patron of World Land Trust, says, “The money that is given to World Land Trust has, in my opinion, more effect on the wild world than almost anything I can think of.”
If the effects of global warming are to be halted and the UK is to reach it’s net zero goal, individuals and companies have to take more responsibility for their contributions to climate change. Using Carbon Balanced Paper for your printed communications is a good first step.
- For more information, download the Carbon Balanced Paper brochure.
- Alternatively, you can email info@carbonbalancedpaper.com
- For more information on World Land Trust, go to www.worldlandtrust.org
Featured image credit: teksomolika, Adobe Stock
