Cabinet commits to large cuts in carbon emissions

Cabinet ministers have agreed an extensive “green deal” which will commit the UK to robust cuts in carbon emissions, according to a report by the Observer.

Chris Huhne, energy secretary, will announce this week that the government will accept the recommendations of an independent committee on climate change.

The deal will require the UK construction industry to set stringent carbon reduction targets as the government seeks an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 compared with 1990 levels.

Chancellor George Osborne and Vince Cable, the business secretary, are believed to have expressed concern about the cost and potential impact of the deal on the economy.

The binding legal commitments means the deal will put the UK at the forefront of the global battle to curb carbon emissions.