UK to cut emissions by 80% by 2050: Minister

Britain will adopt a more severe target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, increasing this to 80 percent from 60 percent, newly installed Energy and Climate Minister Ed Miliband said yesterday.

The move came against the grain of intense industry lobbying to dilute an ambitious European Union climate change program, including tough carbon caps, at a meeting of EU leaders yesterday.

Business lobby groups argue that cutting carbon emissions will add to fuel bills, but Miliband said the costs of not fighting climate change were greater, and would detail next year how Britain would embark on meeting the goal.