UK Steps Up Climate Goals at COP21 With 81% Emissions Reduction Pledge [Video]

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at Heydar Aliyev International Airport to attend the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan on Nov. 11, 2024. Carl Court / Getty Images

At the COP29 United Nations Climate Conference, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the United Kingdom would slash greenhouse gas emissions 81 percent by 2035.

The UK’s new target follows recommendations by the Climate Change Committee, who said the goal should exceed the country’s current 78 percent emissions reduction, in comparison with 1990 levels, reported Reuters.

“At this COP, I was pleased to announce that we’re building on our reputation as a climate leader, with the UK’s 2035 NDC (nationally determined contributions) target to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by …