Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to cut the UK’s emissions by 81% by 2035 and called for greater international collaboration on climate change.

Speaking at the COP29 climate conference, he said his government “recognises that the world stands at a critical juncture in the climate crisis” and that the UK “has a critical role to play”.

The pre-existing target was to cut emissions by 68% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels, so the newly announced target represents a ramping up in ambition for the following five years.

Starmer also said that the UK’s energy independence and economic stability hinges on being able to decouple itself from fossil fuels and adopting future-facing technologies. While the target covers greenhouse gas emissions that occur within the UK’s borders, it excludes those from international aviation and shipping.

He insisted that while the climate ambition is strong, he will not be “telling people how to live their lives”. Speaking to The Mirror ahead of the announcement...