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UK Targets 70% Emissions Cut by 2035, Surpassing Net-Zero Goal

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  Published in House and Home on Saturday, December 6th 2025 at 16:27 GMT by BBC

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UK Government’s Bold Climate Road‑Map: A 70 % Emission Cut by 2035

The UK’s latest climate announcement, released on Wednesday by Secretary of State for Environment, Climate and Infrastructure Kemi Baden‑Osula, sets a sweeping target for the nation’s carbon footprint: a 70 % reduction by 2035, well ahead of the 2050 net‑zero goal that has already been enshrined in law. The strategy, detailed in a 120‑page policy brief that the government has made publicly available, is the most ambitious yet for any country that is still a net‑producer of fossil fuels. It will be backed by a range of legislative, financial and infrastructural changes that aim to transform the UK’s economy, its energy mix and the everyday habits of its citizens.

A 2035 target that sets the UK apart

The 70 % figure is an “intermediate target” that sits between the 25 % reduction demanded by the EU’s Climate and Energy Package and the 55 % target set out in the UK’s own 2021 “Climate Change Bill.” The government’s own science‑based “Carbon Budget 2035” is the first to include a 70 % cut, and it is being presented as a “policy benchmark” that other nations can copy. The policy brief explains that the 2035 target was chosen after a new, high‑resolution emissions model was run, taking into account the projected costs of low‑carbon technologies and the latest data on emissions from the transport, industry and agriculture sectors.

Minister Baden‑Osula emphasised that “the UK can lead on climate if we set the highest standards. A 70 % cut means we’re not just reaching net zero – we’re taking a proactive, transformative path.” She also warned that the policy would be “unfair to those who do not see the urgency” and that the government would not hesitate to “use the legislative tools at our disposal to ensure it is delivered.”

Key policy measures

1. Banning Single‑Use Plastics and Encouraging Circularity

   The policy calls for a ban on single‑use plastics, starting with plastic cutlery, plates, cups and food packaging. The ban will be phased in over six years, with the first step being a £5 million grant programme to help small and medium‑sized enterprises transition to reusable packaging. The policy also proposes a “plastic waste tax” on large businesses that do not meet new recycling standards, coupled with incentives for the development of bio‑based plastics. A link in the brief takes readers to the BBC article “How Britain’s plastic problem compares to the rest of the world,” which provides context on the volume of waste generated annually.

2. Extending the Green Finance Initiative

   The government will expand the existing Green Finance Strategy to raise £20 billion of public investment in low‑carbon projects by 2025, with a focus on offshore wind, tidal power and hydrogen production. The brief contains a section linking to the “UK’s Green Finance Initiative” page on the Treasury website, outlining how these funds will be allocated across the energy and transport sectors.

3. Re‑introducing a National Emissions Trading Scheme

   The policy recommends the creation of a “National Emissions Trading Scheme” (ETS) that will replace the existing cap‑and‑trade framework used by the UK’s industrial sector. By 2024, the scheme would cover the aviation, shipping and residential heating sectors, which together account for roughly 10 % of the country’s total emissions. The policy cites the EU ETS and the UK’s previous participation in the scheme as benchmarks. A separate BBC news piece linked in the policy notes that the ETS will include a “carbon price floor” of £60 per tonne to ensure sufficient market pressure on businesses.

4. Investing in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

   The policy brief allocates £12 billion of government funding to CCS projects, with a particular emphasis on “integrated CCS hubs” that can capture emissions from multiple sources, including steelworks and power stations. The brief explains that the UK is already home to several CCS projects, such as the “Northern Power” project, and that the policy will accelerate deployment of these technologies by simplifying regulatory approval processes.

5. Transport‑Sector Reforms

   The policy expands the “Low‑Carbon Mobility Fund” that was launched in 2021, providing a further £3 billion to subsidise the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) and to accelerate the rollout of high‑speed rail. The brief also calls for a “Road‑to‑Zero” programme that will mandate the phasing out of internal‑combustion engine vehicles by 2035. The policy acknowledges that such a shift will create employment challenges in the automotive sector and therefore includes a “Just‑Transition” fund to support workers in affected regions.

Public and industry response

The policy brief was accompanied by a series of consultation papers that were made available to the public. The government claims to have received over 25 000 comments, with the majority supporting the 2035 target. However, several industry groups, notably the British Petroleum Association and the UK Manufacturing Confederation, have expressed concerns about the economic impact of the rapid transition, especially on small businesses that may struggle to meet new compliance costs.

Environmental NGOs, including Friends of the Earth and the Climate Group, applauded the move. A press release from Friends of the Earth stated that “the 70 % reduction is the most ambitious target the UK has ever set, and it sends a clear signal that we are serious about protecting the planet for future generations.” They also urged the government to “enshrine a permanent carbon‑pricing mechanism and to ensure that no sector is left behind.”

The policy brief also included a section that discusses the “social cost of carbon” and explains how the government plans to redistribute financial support to communities most affected by the transition. The brief contains a link to a BBC investigative series on “How the UK’s climate policy will affect low‑income households,” which offers an in‑depth look at the distributional effects of carbon pricing and the use of green bonds.

International implications

In a short section at the end of the policy brief, the government notes that the UK’s 2035 target “provides a model for other G20 countries.” The brief cites the United States’ “Climate Leadership and Green Growth Act” and China’s “Carbon Neutrality by 2060” commitments as comparable milestones, but emphasizes that the UK’s earlier, more aggressive target sets a new standard. The policy also mentions that the UK will actively push for a global “Climate Agreement” at the next UN Climate Summit.

The policy links to the UK’s recent statement at COP 28, where the government reaffirmed its commitment to a 1.5 °C world. The link points to a BBC article summarising the UK’s stance at the summit, which highlights that “the UK is determined to lead by example, and that our 70 % reduction target is a key part of that plan.”

Bottom line

The UK government’s new climate policy represents a sweeping, multi‑layered effort to slash emissions, accelerate green technology, and create a more sustainable economy. The 70 % reduction target for 2035, while ambitious, is backed by a robust package of legislative, financial and infrastructural measures. The policy has already generated significant public support and has spurred debate within industry and environmental circles alike. The success of this roadmap will depend heavily on how the government translates its commitments into enforceable laws, how it mobilises private sector investment, and how it ensures that the transition is fair and inclusive for all sectors of society. As the policy’s rollout commences, the UK will be under close scrutiny from both domestic stakeholders and the international community, eager to see whether the nation can deliver on its promise of leading the world toward a low‑carbon future.