The 海角视频 is to set a legally binding target to end its contribution to climate change by 2050, Prime Minister Theresa May has announced.
The Government is laying out legislation in Parliament on Wednesday to set a new target to cut emissions to 鈥渘et zero鈥 by the middle of the century.
The statutory instrument will amend the existing goal to cut climate pollution by 80 per cent by 2050, which was agreed by MPs under the Climate Change Act in 2008.
The move comes after the Government鈥檚 advisory Committee on Climate Change called for the new legal target to be brought in as soon as possible and to urgently ramp up action to cut emissions.
Hitting net zero - a 100 per cent cut in emissions - will mean an end to heating of homes with traditional gas boilers, more green electricity, and a switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles, walking and cycling.
It could require people to eat less meat and dairy and take fewer flights.
Any remaining pollution in 2050 from areas including aviation will need to be 鈥渙ffset鈥 through measures to cut carbon such as planting trees.
The committee told the Government the move would be in line with commitments to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels under the international Paris Agreement and will provide leadership for other countries on tackling climate change.
A leaked letter last week showed the Treasury warning the PM that making the shift to a zero carbon economy would cost at least 拢1 trillion.
But the committee said it will cost around 1-2% of annual economic output up to 2050 - the same as predicted a decade ago for the 80% target - while the cost of inaction would be many times higher.
The shift, which is achievable with known technologies, will deliver economic opportunities and other benefits, the committee said.
It comes just as operations begin on what will become the world鈥檚 largest offshore wind farm, Hornsea One, with an Offshore Wind Sector Deal in place. It is seen as a key tool in the path to net zero.
There have been calls to make the Humber, from where it will be served in Grimsby, the global centre of the industry. There is already a visible pipeline of 8GW of installed capacity, with more to come.
In the wake of the committee鈥檚 recommendations, scientists, campaigners and health professionals have been urging the Prime Minister to bring in the target before she stands down, as a legacy of her premiership.
Number 10 said the move would boost public health, air quality and nature and will make the 海角视频 a leader on climate action, as the first G7 group of major economies to put a net zero target into law.
But it was 鈥渋mperative鈥 other countries follow suit, so there will be a review within five years to ensure other nations are taking similarly ambitious action, and that British industries are not facing unfair competition.
In the wake of widespread climate strikes by schoolchildren and students, the Government is also setting up a Youth Steering Group for young people to advise it on priorities for environmental action.
Mrs May said: 鈥淎s the first country to legislate for long-term climate targets, we can be truly proud of our record in tackling climate change.
鈥淲e have made huge progress in growing our economy and the jobs market while slashing emissions.
鈥淣ow is the time to go further and faster to safeguard the environment for our children.
鈥淭his country led the world in innovation during the Industrial Revolution, and now we must lead the world to a cleaner, greener form of growth.
鈥淪tanding by is not an option. Reaching net zero by 2050 is an ambitious target, but it is crucial that we achieve it to ensure we protect our planet for future generations.鈥
The Government said it would retain the ability to use international carbon credits, which allow the 海角视频 to pay to offset its emissions elsewhere in the world.
Committee on Climate Change chairman Lord Deben said he was delighted the Government was putting the net zero target to a parliamentary vote and was looking forward to cross-party consensus on the issue.
鈥淭his is a major commitment for the coming decades, but we have highlighted the significant benefits of action.
鈥淭his step will send a strong signal to other countries to follow suit - and will help to drive the global effort to tackle climate change required by the Paris Agreement.
鈥淭his is just the first step. The target must now be reinforced by credible 海角视频 policies, across government, inspiring a strong response from business, industry and society as a whole.鈥
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of business group the CBI, said 海角视频 companies were 鈥渟quarely behind鈥 the commitment.
She said: 鈥淭his legislation is the right response to the global climate crisis, and firms are ready to play their part in combating it.
鈥淐limate leadership can drive 海角视频 competitiveness and secure long-term prosperity.
鈥淭his legislation must be followed by a commitment to long-term policies that support decarbonisation across the economy,鈥 she urged.
鈥淪ome sectors will need clear pathways to enable investment in low-carbon technologies, and it is vital that there is cross-Government coordination on the policies and regulation needed to deliver a clean future.鈥
Leading trade organisation Renewable海角视频鈥檚 deputy chief executive, Emma Pinchbeck, said: 鈥淐limate change is an existential challenge with a ticking clock - and the science shows we need to make big changes to our economy. It鈥檚 right to speed up our action to reflect the truth of the risks. Luckily, the public have made it clear that they鈥檙e more than up for the challenge. Polling and protests alike support the low carbon economy and more action on using renewables.
鈥淥ver the last decade, the 海角视频 has shown that political leadership on climate change is a real opportunity to have a better, not just, greener economy than one powered by fossil fuels.
The Government鈥檚 clear plans for renewables have turned off coal and delivered a world-class industry which is already cheaper and more efficient than old fossil fuel power stations.
鈥淲e need to make the best use of every technology in our toolbox, from onshore wind to wave and tidal power to energy efficiency to help fix dangerous climate change. We might be afraid of the impacts of climate change, but the 海角视频鈥檚 world-class renewables industry, including our global lead in offshore wind, shows that we should not be afraid of investing in a green economy: the returns to the 海角视频 of this leadership on net zero will be huge鈥.
Speaking at a conference in Grimsby earlier this year, where six wind farms are operated from, she told how 27,000 jobs will be created by 2030m and how when emission reduction is discussed globally "it is one occasion where the 海角视频 wlaks into a foreign delectation and gets some respect".
Shaping that view is world leader in offshore wind, 脴rsted. Matthew Wright, 海角视频 managing director, said: 鈥淭oday, the 海角视频 Government has taken a historic step in the fight against climate change.
鈥淎s the first major economy to legislate for a net zero target, the 海角视频 shows a bold commitment to a cleaner and greener future.
鈥淎s the global leader in offshore wind, with 3.7GW already in operation, we鈥檙e proud to be leading the country鈥檚 green transformation. Let鈥檚 create a world that runs entirely on green energy.鈥
