The pressure on council managers to slash carbon emissions has intensified, after a government task force called for yet-tougher targets. The Climate Change Task Force has recommended Britain set a higher target than others established for Europe. Exceeding the EU goal of a 20% cut by 2020 was necessary, the committee said, so the UK could meet its legal obligation of an 80% cut by 2050. The cost of cutting was ‘no reason to hold back' on measures ranging from electrifying public transport to a large expansion of renewable energy, members said. The emission cuts would be made through three five-year ‘carbon budgets' running to 2022. These showed how far emissions must be cut and by when, bringing drastic changes to the way government operated. Regional Development Agencies welcomed the recommendations. Richard Ellis, chair of the East of England Development Agency, said: ‘This announcement is welcome, but the hard work begins here. We now need renewed efforts to mitigate against the effects of climate change and seize the economic opportunities.'
