Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced far more quickly than was previously thought, says a climate change research institute.
A report by the Tyndall Centre said a UK government target of a 60% cut in emissions by 2050 is insufficient and needs to be 70% by 2030.
But it requires a major programme of action within the next four years. It also calls for a climate change bill to commit ministers and business to making the target a reality.
Kevin Andersen from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, based at the University of Manchester, said the government had no time to waste. "For the UK we've seen emissions in carbon dioxide going up year on year since 1990 and we don't envisage an immediate change in that trend.
"The government needs to set some policies in train now, and I literally mean now - within the next few months; so that say by 2010/2012, we have reversed our current growth in emissions and we then start to see very significant reductions year on year for the next 20, 30 and 40 years. "We need this if we are to make our fair contribution."
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5347790.stm