The UK government has approved an ambitious carbon budget for 2028-2032, committing the country to reducing emissions to 57 per cent below 1990 levels.

The UK government has approved an ambitious carbon budget for 2028-2032, committing the country to reducing emissions to 57 per cent below 1990 levels.

The move has been widely welcomed by green groups, who had expressed concerns about the future path of the UK’s environmental commitments following the UK’s exit from the EU.

"Today’s announcement is especially welcome given the uncertainty caused by last week’s referendum," said Hugh McNeal, chief executive of RenewableUK. "It’s a clear signal that the UK will continue to show bold leadership on carbon reduction. This will allow investment to continue to flow into renewable energy projects throughout the UK."

The latest carbon budget sets the UK on course to ensuring it meets its legally binding target of reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Its predecessor, the 4th carbon budget, covering 2023 to 2027, set out a 52 per cent reduction