The Carbon Budget Order 2026
Mini Summary
Climate Change Act 2008
Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK Government is committed to reducing net carbon emissions for 2050 by at least 100%. The Secretary of State and government ministers are given duties and powers to introduce measures to achieve reduction targets. There are no duties for organisations under this Act; duties are held by the Secretary of State and government ministers.
Amendment
The UK’s seventh carbon budget is set at 535 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent for the budgetary period from 2038 to 2042. This places a legal limit on the UK’s total net greenhouse gas emissions during that period and supports the UK’s net zero targets.
This is a significant reduction from the carbon budget for 2033-2037, which is set at 965 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Duties
There are no duties for organisations under this Act; duties are held by the Secretary of State and government ministers.
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