News Article - 24 September 2008
Category: Environment

Gordon Brown has raised the target of a 60 per cent carbon cut by 2050 to 80 per cent, meaning businesses will have to do more accounting for carbon.

The prime minister made the announcement at the Labour party conference in Manchester, adding that he had asked the Climate Change Committee to bring forward a report on the feasibility of the carbon emissions measurement cut from the end of 2008 to next month.

This will mean the Committee's recommendation will be available while the Climate Change Bill is still before Parliament.

He said he desired UK businesses to become an influence for the rest of the world in corporate social responsibility.

"I want British companies and British workers to seize the opportunity and lead the world in the transformation to a low carbon economy and I believe that we can create in modern green manufacturing and service one million new jobs," said Mr Brown.

Various environmental groups, including Green Alliance and Friends of the Earth, welcomed the announcement.

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