New UK Government Takes Welcome First Step With NDC Target

November 12, 2024

Responding to the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing the UK’s new NDC target for 2035 of at least 81% in line with the Climate Change Committee's recommendations, CAN-UK and our members welcome the announcement with some caution:

Debbie Hillier, Mercy Corps Global Climate Policy Lead, says: 

“We appreciate the UK Government showing up strong at COP29, aligning their commitment with the credible recommendations of the Climate Change Committee and setting an 81% emissions reduction target by 2035. This signals a positive shift in tone and transparency from the UK, showing that they are not shying away from the urgent challenges we face. It also sets a strong bar for other countries, encouraging them to develop NDCs in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and get the world on track for 1.5 degrees warming. This needs to be matched with equally ambitious action from the UK on climate finance to enable these NDCs to be implemented.

Catherine Pettengell, Executive Director of Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) said: 

“This new UK government is signalling their intention to become a climate leader. While we would have liked to see even more ambition in today’s announcement, it is encouraging that the government actively sought and adopted the Climate Change Committee’s independent expert advice. This NDC is a signal of intent from a government only four months old - but more is needed to become a climate leader - particularly on the all important question of climate finance at this COP. 

“We need to see the full details in the NDC when it’s published, but with a robust delivery plan, an end to new fossil fuels, integration of the COP28 energy commitments, and alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework this could be a solid first step to deliver for people, nature, and climate.

"We welcome the prioritisation and whole-of-government approach demonstrated by the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero both here at COP29 alongside the Prime Minister.”

 Tanya Steele, Chief Executive, WWF-UK

“Announcing a new climate target for 2035 at COP29 provides a timely signal, showing that the UK is willing to be a global leader on climate. It’s vital that other countries follow suit early next year.

“The target is a welcome indication that the new UK government recognises the urgency of reducing emissions to prevent dangerous climate impacts, guarantee greater energy security and create jobs.

“This must now be followed by action. To take full advantage of an immediate and full transition to a zero-carbon economy, the UK needs to back up its 2030 and 2035 targets with solid and credible delivery plans.”

Rebecca Newsom, Senior Political Advisor at Greenpeace UK said:

“Despite the shadow cast over this summit by the prospect of Trump 2.0, Keir Starmer is choosing to step up, instead of stepping back from climate action. Despite still falling short of the UK’s fair share, this is a relatively ambitious target compared with many other nations, and will help build momentum at these talks.

“But targets need to be backed up with bold action. When the UK government submits its action plan next year, it must include details of how it will deliver a full phase out of oil and gas, as it has done with coal. This must include proper funding to help workers transition from high carbon jobs to the green industries of the future. 

“As our planet reels from catastrophic floods in Spain and typhoons in the Philippines, and bakes in what is likely to be the hottest year on record, this is the bare minimum needed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees.”

Francesca Rhodes, Senior Policy Adviser on Climate and Gender at CARE International UK, said:  

“We’re pleased to see the UK turn up at COP29 and increase its ambition on reducing emissions, which is a step in the right direction. Women and girls in the Global South are already seeing the catastrophic consequences of climate change in their everyday lives, as it harms their opportunities and livelihoods. As the climate crisis intensifies, the need to finance the response will only grow, and it will become increasingly untenable for the UK’s climate finance commitments to be squeezed from the aid budget. We urge the UK to support a $1 trillion global commitment for public climate finance, ensuring this is new and additional to aid, and increasing access for women’s rights organisations.” 

Liz Cronin, Climate Change Policy Lead, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) said

“It is encouraging that the UK has sent its top team to COP this year. Likewise, the new target to reduce UK emissions by 81% follows the expert advice of the independent Climate Change Committee, and sets a strong example for other countries to follow. 

“This is a good first step for a country that wants to establish itself as a climate leader. But, to truly achieve that, this headline target must be supported by an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution document, due next year – and a sea-change on providing much more new, additional and grant-based public finance drawn from major polluters.”

Ben Wilson, Director of Public Engagement, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) said:

"The new UK Government has really shown up to COP29. Starmer, Miliband and Lammy are all here giving strong signals that action on climate change is a major priority, and the 81% target by 2035 is a welcome statement of near-term ambition.

"With the Scottish Government's climate credibility in tatters after years of missed targets and a scrapped climate law, the UK Government stepping up ambition is good news for a greener Scotland, and a greener UK as a whole

"Of course, the focus now must be on delivery. All governments in the UK must now work in genuine partnership together to achieve this target and deliver a just transition for the benefit of people at home, people overseas and future generations"

Nick Mabey, co-CEO and co-founder, E3G said: 

"The U.K.'s NDC announcement of an 81% emissions reduction target on 1990 levels by 2030 is in line with the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement and raises the bar for others to set out their own ambition. By committing to publish detailed implementation plans—ideally with sectoral commitments and a supporting investment roadmap—the U.K. is stepping up as a climate frontrunner at a time when such leadership is critically needed. This target, reinforced by a robust legal framework with independent oversight reporting to Parliament, exemplifies how countries can advance ambitious transitions with clear plans and strong domestic governance. Other nations should follow suit with high-ambition targets similarly underpinned by clear sectoral plans and strong domestic governance as they submit their own NDCs." 

Zahra Hdidou, Senior Climate Resilience Specialist, ActionAid said:  

“With a planet battered by severe floods, storms, and heatwaves—and a climate denier elected to the White House—the UK is responding by setting a bold bar for climate action at COP this year." 

"However, its commitment risks being undermined by costly carbon capture projects —a flawed solution that does nothing to prevent emissions while diverting precious resources away from renewables. Adding further insult to injury, the UK government continues to funnel over £5bn in public subsidies into fossil fuels, exacerbating the climate crisis.  

"The answer is staring us right in the face. At COP, we’re urging the UK to immediately drop fossil fuel subsidies, ditch the gimmicks, and urgently invest in renewable energy.”

Sarah McArthur, Director at UK Youth Climate Coalition, said:

“The UK has shown leadership at the start of COP29, with the Prime Minister and top members of the cabinet present at a time where many around the world are hiding away from this COP. Setting an emissions reduction target of 81% by 2035 is a positive move towards establishing the country as a climate leader at a critical time.

However, as young people we need to see real change following on from this new target. A just transition must deliver green jobs for young people, accountability for corporate actors, and a complete phase out of fossil fuels. We have already seen how the COP process is being undermined by the influence of those seeking to continue profiteering from fossil fuel extraction, and the positive transparency exhibited by the government must also be mirrored by the COP process itself. Young people cannot afford further delay from the fossil fuel lobby.”

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