PM pledges to cut emissions by 81%

But Starmer rules out enforcing lifestyle changes

- ASHLEY COWBURN and NADA FARHOUD

KEIR Starmer insisted he is not telling people how to run their lives as he unveiled a new target to combat the climate crisis.

The PM said he was not interested in asking us to eat less meat or take fewer flights. But he warned that the cost of inaction could expose hundreds of thousands more Brits to the risk of flooding and energy bill rises.

Speaking at Cop29, Mr Starmer announced a commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 81% from 1990 levels by 2035.

This is in line with the recommendations from the independent Climate Change Committee. It has also been set in order to hit the legally binding aim of achieving net zero by 2050.

Fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions hit a record high in 2024, up 0.8% from 2023.