UK reaction to EU Copenhagen Accord submission

Following today's announcement the EU has re-confirmed its support for the Copenhagen Accord on climate change and formally announced its commitments for emission reduction targets, secretary of state for energy and climate change, Ed Miliband, issued a statement.

The UK, with its EU counterparts, remains committed to maintaining the momentum that has been generated over the last few months. Therefore the EU has submitted a unilateral commitment to reduce the EU's overall emissions by 20% of 1990 levels and a conditional offer to increase this cut to 30% provided that other major emitters agree to take on their fair share of a global reduction effort. Under the Accord, notifications are to be submitted by 31 January 2010.

Ed Miliband said: "Today's decision to keep the offer to move to 30% demonstrates the EU's commitment to maintaining a strong signal to the world on the urgency to act on climate change.

"The goal of moving to 30% has always been and remains conditional on others showing similar ambition. We must now continue to push for bold cuts in emissions beyond the 31st deadline.

"The Copenhagen Accord was an important step forward but we now need to redouble efforts to secure the legally binding treaty, and complete the unfinished business of Copenhagen."