Climate Change Act comes into force

The UK has become the first country in the world to introduce legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after a major piece of legislation came into force.

The Climate Change Act received Royal Assent last week and came into effect on Friday, committing the UK to cutting GHGs by at least 80% by 2050.

It follows months of negotiations over the target, which was originally set at 60% and was revised in October following the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee.

Kate Martin