Kamis, 03 Desember 2020

Climate change: UK aims to cut emissions by 68% by end of 2030 - BBC News

Chimney
Reuters

The UK will aim to cut its carbon emissions by at least 68% of what they were in 1990 by the end of 2030, Boris Johnson has announced.

The PM said the "ambitious" target would see the UK cutting emissions faster than any major economy so far.

And he urged other world leaders to follow his lead at a virtual climate summit on 12 December.

Scientists have welcomed the news - but say it does not guarantee dangerous climate change will be avoided.

They urged Mr Johnson to impose policies to back up his ambitions - currently the UK is slipping behind its existing targets.

The PM said: “We have proven we can reduce our emissions and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process – uniting businesses, academics, NGOs and local communities in a common goal to go further and faster to tackle climate change.

“Today, we are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030 faster than any major economy.

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“But this is a global effort, which is why the UK is urging world leaders to bring forward their own ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net zero targets.”

One of the UK’s leading climate scientists, Prof Sir Brian Hoskins, told BBC News: “Mr Johnson’s target is ambitious – but we need action to back it up, right now.

HS2 protests in Denham
Reuters

He noted that the Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently committed £127bn to the HS2 rail link and new roads - which will both increase emissions - while offering just £1bn to home insulation, which would reduce emissions.

Prof Hoskins remarked: “The actions of the chancellor don't measure up. Every single department has to wear climate change glasses when they think of new policies, and the Treasury clearly hasn’t got that message.”

He and other scientists said even if the UK and other nations keep their promises on cutting emissions there was no guarantee the world would avoid serious heating.

“The world will be increasingly difficult and dangerous with every percentage point of temperature rise,” he said. “There are important things we don’t know for sure. How much more does it take to destabilise Antarctica, for instance? We don't know… and the impact could be devastating.”

Prof Corinne Le Quéré from the University of East Anglia (UEA) said if nations matched the UK’s lead “it won’t be a safe climate – but it will be a safer climate than we’d get based on current levels of ambition.”

A coalition of green groups was urging the government to reach a 75% cut by 2030.

And more radical groups such as Extinction Rebellion say the UK should stop emissions almost completely within a few years to be confident of avoiding climate disaster.

Research by the London School of Economics (LSE) found that it is economically feasible for UK emissions to be cut by 72%. The government has not costed the range of measures that would be needed, but experts say more homes will need to switch to low-carbon heating. Gas guzzling SUVs might also be forced off the roads – and frequent fliers taxed more.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which advises government, welcomed the 68% cut, but warned: “This is more than just a number.

Plane
PA Media

“It should be accompanied by wider climate commitments, including the development of a policy package and net zero strategy to deliver against the UK goal; clear commitments to reduce international aviation and shipping emissions; and greater support for climate finance, particularly for developing countries.”

Net zero refers to cutting greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible and balancing any further releases by removing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.

More policies will be revealed if the long-delayed Energy White Paper is published, as expected, before Christmas.

The prime minister’s 68% target represents the UK’s NDC – its nationally determined contribution towards meeting the Paris Agreement.

NDCs represent the commitments by each country - under the Paris pact - to reduce their own national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris deal, signed in 2016, is aimed at keeping global temperature rise well under 2C, preferably with a maximum rise of 1.5C.

The virtual event Mr Johnson’s hosting next week is in place of annual UN climate talks. They were scheduled for Glasgow in November but postponed by a year because of Covid-19.

The UK will hold the presidency of next year’s meeting in partnership with Italy. It is known as COP26 - the 26th Conference of the Parties.

'Further and faster'

Laurence Tubiana, an architect of the successful Paris Agreement, said: "This commitment from the prime minister can underpin his personal efforts to seek similar moves from counterparts in the run-up to the Glasgow Summit next year.

“(It will need) investments in areas ranging from greener steel production to farming and clean heating technologies, but other countries can draw confidence from Britain's leadership.

“International attention now turns to the United States, China and other major economies to take similar steps by COP26."

The RSPB’s Martin Harper said: “The UK government’s new 2030 climate target will enhance the UK’s leadership credentials.

“But we need to go further and faster, in particular by investing in protecting and restoring habitats such as our peatlands which are so important for locking up carbon.”

A UK strategy on conserving peat is long-delayed.

Ed Miliband, the shadow business secretary, said: "We welcome the important strengthening of the 2030 UK target. But this is the minimum we should aim for.

"Our goal should be to go further and faster, cutting the significant majority of emissions in this decisive decade, which is the right way to lead in creating the climate jobs of the future and keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees.

"It is clear there is a yawning gap between the government's aspirations and its policies to deliver them. It didn’t have the policies to meet its previous target - and the chasm will be even greater now.”

Peter Simpson, from Anglian Water and co-chair of The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group, said: “Credible plans matter in the race to zero, so today’s announcement is welcomed. The spotlight is on. Climate change won’t wait for us, and the time for action is now.”

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2020-12-03 22:39:00Z
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COVID-19: Who will get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and when? - Sky News

More details have emerged about who will be first to get the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine when the UK rollout begins next week, with the first doses having now arrived from Belgium.

The highly-anticipated jab reached Britain on Thursday after being brought through the Eurotunnel on lorries.

It is now being delivered to each of the devolved nations and will be distributed to 50 hospital hubs in the coming days, with care home residents and staff and the over-80s set to be among the first to be vaccinated.

Job advert for St Barts Healthcare Trust recruiting staff for Covid vaccination programme
Image: Ad calling for "vaccinators" to help "as quickly as possible"

With the vaccine approved by the UK's independent health regulator MHRA, which has defended the speed of its decision following questions from America's top infectious diseases expert, the NHS has begun recruiting staff with either "experience of delivering a vaccine" or who are "willing to be trained".

An advert for one London healthcare trust says: "We are expecting to receive the Covid-19 vaccine very soon.

"Vaccinating as many Londoners as quickly as possible will require your help.

"We are looking for healthcare professionals from across the capital. You may already have experience of delivering a vaccine to people, or you may be willing to be trained."

More from Covid-19

The government has ordered 40 million doses of the jab, which is enough to vaccinate 20 million people, with 800,000 doses set to arrive by next week.

Studies have shown it is 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 and works in all age groups.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the first clear priority group for receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine would be care home residents and their carers.

Secondly, hospitals over the next few days will identify as many patients over 80 as possible that they can vaccinate against the coronavirus.

Obvious candidates would be those attending outpatient appointments and those receiving inpatient treatment.

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Behind the scenes of the Pfizer vaccine

There had been concerns that the vaccine's storage needs would make it difficult to deliver to care homes, but - while the task remains challenging - those fears have been somewhat subsided.

The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has said the vaccine boxes containing 975 doses can be split into smaller numbers of doses, making it easier for vaccine to be sent to care home residents.

Given that the vaccine needs to be initially stored at -70C (-94F), Mr Hopson admitted "this won't be easy".

The jab can be sent to care homes as long as it travels for no more than six hours after it leaves cold storage - and is then put in a normal fridge at 2C to 8C.

If there are early vaccine doses left over after these priority groups are given the jab, hospitals will then vaccinate staff based on risk factors.

Hospitals will be asked to ensure anyone who gets a first dose will be available for a second dose three weeks later, which is required for the vaccine to be effective.

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Fauci: UK vaccine analysis 'very quick'

Mr Hopson warned the rollout would be a "large, complex, important logistical challenge", but he added: "This is what NHS is good at - and why we benefit hugely from having a National Health Service, as the creation of 33,000 beds for coronavirus patients in first phase showed.

"Trusts will deliver this vital task."

The UK is the first country to approve the jab for use, and the first vaccinations are expected on Tuesday.

As more doses become available, possibly in the new year, the vaccination will be administered to other risk groups, with the bulk of vaccinations expected to take place between January and April.

There are over 170 coronavirus vaccines in development across the globe, but there are a handful of frontrunners which are in the last stages of checks and could soon become available like the Pfizer jab.

A much cheaper and more easily stored option from Oxford University and AstraZeneca, albeit one with a lower efficacy rating, has been submitted for approval in the UK.

Meanwhile, scientists from American company Moderna are seeking approval from US and EU regulators to allow emergency use of their jab, which the UK government has ordered seven million doses of.

On Wednesday, Russia announced it will begin large-scale vaccinations using its jab called Sputnik V next week, and the Chinese military has approved another one made by CanSino Biologics.

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2020-12-03 23:03:45Z
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Covid: First batch of vaccines arrives in the UK - BBC News

A worker passes a line of freezers holding coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine candidate BNT162b2 at a Pfizer facility in Puurs, Belgium in an undated photograph.
Reuters

The first consignment of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has arrived in the UK.

It has been taken to a central hub at an undisclosed location, and will now be distributed to hospital vaccination centres around the UK.

The UK has ordered 40 million doses - enough to vaccinate 20 million people.

England's deputy chief medical officer said the first wave of vaccinations could prevent up to 99% of Covid-19 hospital admissions and deaths.

Speaking to BBC News, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam said that would be possible if everyone on the first priority list took the vaccine and it was highly effective.

He said it was key to distribute the vaccine "as fast" and at the "highest volume" as possible, but he acknowledged there would need to be some flexibility in the list.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines are made in Belgium and have travelled to the UK via the Eurotunnel.

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The order in which people will get the jab is recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and decided by the government.

Elderly people in care homes and care home staff have been placed top of the priority list, followed by over-80s and health and care staff.

However, because hospitals already have the facilities to store the vaccine at the necessary -70C, the very first vaccinations are likely to take place there - for care home staff, NHS staff and patients - to lower the risk of wasting doses.

Prof Van-Tam told BBC News: "If we can get through phase one [of the priority list] and it is a highly effective vaccine and there is very, very high up take, then we could in theory take out 99% of hospitalisations and deaths related to Covid 19.

"That is why the phase one list is what it is, that is the primary ambition."

Graphic outlining how the Pfizer vaccine will be prioritised among different groups. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that people are given the vaccine in the following order, although there is likely to be some overlap between groups: 1. residents in a care home for older adults, and their carers 2. everyone aged 80 and over, and frontline health and social care workers 3. everyone aged 75 and over 4. everyone aged 70 and over, and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable 5. everyone aged 65 and over 6. people aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and death from Covid-19 7. everyone aged 60 and over 8. everyone aged 55 and over 9. everyone aged 50 and over

The UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the US, has since said that the UK was not as rigorous as the US in its Covid-19 vaccine approval process.

"The UK did not do it as carefully," he told Fox News. "If you go quickly and you do it superficially, people are not going to want to get vaccinated."

But the UK has defended its process, and said the jab is safe and effective.

Dr June Raine, the head of the UK medicines regulator, said "no corners had been cut" in vetting the jab. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reviewed preliminary data on the vaccine trials dating back to June.

How the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses
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The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19.

The UK's 40 million doses will be distributed as quickly as they can be made by Pfizer in Belgium, with the first load rolled out next week and then "several millions" throughout December, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

But the bulk of the roll-out across the UK will be next year.

And it could take until April for all those deemed most at-risk to receive the new vaccine, according to NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens.

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The arrival of the vaccines comes after the UK became the first country in Europe to surpass 60,000 coronavirus deaths

Official figures show a further 414 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded on Thursday, taking the total to 60,113.

Two other ways of measuring deaths - where Covid is mentioned on the death certificate, and the number of "excess deaths" for this time of year - give higher total figures.

Covid deaths

Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have recorded more deaths than the UK, according to Johns Hopkins University.

However, the UK has had more deaths per 100,000 people than any of those nations.

In terms of deaths per 100,000 people, the UK is the seventh-highest country globally, behind Belgium, San Marino, Peru, Andorra, Spain and Italy.

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2020-12-03 21:33:00Z
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Avonmouth explosion: Four dead in Bristol water works blast - BBC News

Four people have died and another has been injured after a large explosion at a waste water treatment works.

Firefighters were called to Wessex Water's premises in Avonmouth, Bristol, at about 11:20 GMT.

Three of the people who died worked for the firm, and the other was a contractor. The injured person's condition is not life-threatening.

The blast happened in a silo containing treated biosolids and was not terror related. police said.

A witness reported hearing a "very loud explosion" that "shook buildings", and another said they saw "around 10 ambulances driving to the scene".

Police declared a major incident and are investigating the circumstances of the blast.

Ch Insp Mark Runacres, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the explosion happened in a chemical tank at a water recycling centre.

"The fire service led the rescue operation but sadly, despite the best efforts of all those involved, there were four fatalities.

"This is a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies go out to them," he added.

The families of those who died have been contacted.

Scene of explosion
Jawad Burhan

Luke Gazzard, from Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said the four people died at the scene, and there was no report of a fire.

He said emergency services had dealt with "a very, very challenging incident".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a tweet he was "deeply saddened" to learn that four people had lost their lives in the explosion.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. Thank you to the emergency services who attended the scene."

'Absolutely devastated'

Colin Skellett, chief executive of Wessex Water, said their "thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved".

He said they were "absolutely devastated that the tragic incident at our site earlier today has resulted in four fatalities".

The company is working with the Health and Safety Executive as part of the investigation.

The silo holds treated biosolids before it is recycled to land as an organic soil conditioner, Ch Insp Runacres said.

He said a "thorough investigation involving a number of agencies" would be carried out.

"I can reassure people living in the nearby area that there is not believed to be any ongoing public safety concerns."

Biosolids are "treated sludge", a by-product of the sewage treatment process.

According to Wessex Water, the sludge is treated in anaerobic digesters, oxygen-free tanks, to produce agricultural fertiliser and renewable energy.

People have been urged to avoid the area.

Helicopter
PA Media

Jawad Burhan, who took a photo appearing to show a tank that had exploded, said there was a "helicopter looking for missing people".

"I heard the sound, I'm working beside the building in another warehouse.

"After 10 minutes I saw the helicopter coming and the police," he added.

'Everything was shaking'

Kieran Jenkins, who works nearby, said he was inside a warehouse when he heard a "big bang".

"The whole warehouse was shaking, and we literally stood there in shock because everything was shaking." he said.

"We thought everything was going to fall and we came out and all we could see was people running - it was a bit of a shock, really."

Bristol Waste, which runs the nearby Avonmouth recycling centre, tweeted it had closed the site temporarily.

Map of the location of the explosion

Lorry driver Ronan Doyle said he was parked off King's Weston Lane about to enter the recycling plant when he heard the explosion.

"There was a quieter "whoosh" first, followed by a much louder and more intense noise," he said.

"It sounded like someone had driven into the lorry - the noise was so loud it didn't sound like anything I've ever heard before and it was followed by a loud bang."

He added: "I continued into the recycling centre and we have just locked ourselves in purely because our way out is blocked."

'Boom and echo'

Sean Nolan, who witnessed the aftermath of the explosion, said he had heard a "boom and echo" but thought it was a crash.

"I heard what I thought may have been two trucks colliding by the way it shook the ground... it was big.

"It was quite short-lived, I'd say about two or three seconds. Sort of a boom and echo and then it just went quiet.

"That was it. There was no smoke, there was no after-effects of it."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer gave his condolences on Twitter, writing: "My thoughts are with all those who tragically lost their lives today in Avonmouth. My heart goes out to their friends and family."

Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West, said: "My family and I are keeping those affected in our thoughts and prayers, following the tragic consequences of the explosion in Avonmouth."

He was "pleased that the situation has been contained and that there is no further risk to local people".

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: "This has already been such a challenging year, and this news of further loss of life is another terrible blow.

"As a city we will mourn for them."

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2020-12-03 21:11:00Z
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Brexit talks COLLAPSE as Barnier tables new demands - Macron threat sparks major setback - Daily Express

UK sources have revealed the bloc’s negotiators tabled several new proposals in response to France’s threat to force for a no-deal Brexit unless Boris Johnson makes significant concessions. British officials believe the demands are a “step backwards” and have “destabilised the talks”. Both sides have vowed to work through the night in a bid to overcome the new obstacles.

But sources close to the talks say the dispute has cost them at least 24 hours as time runs out to secure a trade deal.

As senior UK Government source said: “At the eleventh hour, the EU is bringing new elements into the negotiation. A breakthrough is still possible in the next few days but that prospect is receding.”

It is understood the talks blew up after fresh "subsidies" proposals were tabled as part of discussions on the so-called level playing field. 

But EU sources pushed back against the idea that "new" demands had sparked the breakdown.

Pizzas and sandwiches were delivered to the teams led by Lord Frost and the EU’s Michel Barnier tonight as they meet for their the second night running.

Mr Barnier was forced to harden his position amid fears by hardline EU member states he could offer serious concessions in order to clinch a deal. 

Senior Brussels sources claimed the EU’s Brexit chief was on the verge of making compromises in the row over future access to Britain’s coastal waters and state aid rules.

One EU diplomat warned several leaders were queuing up to vote down any unacceptable compromises made by Mr Barnier. 

The insider said: “Leaders always have the possibility to reject the outcome and if the mandate is not adhered to they have every right to do so.”

In sign of growing tensions between EU states, Ireland accused hardliners of making a “very dangerous” threat to pursue a no-deal Brexit.

Fuelled by France, some leaders want Mr Barnier to walk away from the negotiations at the end of the week unless Boris Johnson makes significant concessions to get the trade deal over the line.

But Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney warned there is no guarantee Downing Street will return to the negotiating table in the new year.

He claimed a no-deal outcome would leave Dublin in the “cross fire” as Brussels and London’s relationship is plunged into an acrimonious “blame game” over the failed trade talks.

MUST READ: Brexit fishing row erupts as Macron ally questions UK sovereignty over

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was said to be ready to agree to a compromise to cement her legacy before leaving office.

Stefaan De Rynck, a key aide to Mr Barnier, said: “We are at the end of a marathon run. I cannot guarantee that we’ll reach the finishing line with an agreement. 

“It’s certainly my feeling both sides are committed to finding a deal. Significant divergences remain. As of today the outcome of the process is uncertain.”

Ahead of the breakdown, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Intensive talks are continuing in person in London as they have throughout the week, with the negotiating teams continuing to work hard to resolve the differences that remain.

“Our focus remains, and will continue to be, on trying to secure a free-trade agreement, as it has throughout the negotiations.”

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2020-12-03 19:18:00Z
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COVID-19: Fauci says UK vaccine approval 'much less deep' than US - but jab is 'safe' - Sky News

The White House's chief immunologist has told Sky News he believes the British approval of the Pfizer COVID vaccine has been done in a "much less deep" way than would have been done in the US.

Dr Anthony Fauci told Sky News he believed the data "clearly shows that the vaccine is safe and effective" but that the speed in which it had been passed by the UK health regulator would have prompted scepticism in the US about its safety.

On Wednesday the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTechCOVID vaccine.

Dr Fauci told Dermot Murnaghan his comments about its testing in the UK were not meant as "a criticism", but he said: "I think it's very important for people to realise there are different levels of stringency and scrutiny when you look at the data.

"The FDA in the United States, I think, everyone realises globally is the gold standard of regulatory function.

"Here in the United States, as I'm sure is somewhat in the UK, there is this degree of scepticism on the part of the people about wanting to take a vaccine, thinking that perhaps it was done too quickly, perhaps it isn't as safe and effective as we say they are.

"So we put the data through a very, very stringent process of literally point-by-point, analysing the data.

More from Covid-19

"The UK has decided to do it a little bit differently, they've gone over it very quickly.

An illustration picture shows vials with Covid-19 Vaccine stickers attached and syringes with the logo of US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German partner BioNTech, on November 17, 2020. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Britain's health regulator said the Pfizer vaccine had been "rigorously assessed"

"And I can say - and this is not a criticism, but they've done it in a way that is much less deep than has been done, and is being done by the FDA in the United States."

Live COVID updates as UK prepares for vaccine rollout

However, following Dr Fauci's comments, UK health regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), doubled down on its commitment to the vaccine's safety.

A spokesperson said all related data had been "rigorously assessed" and "in the shortest time possible, without compromising the thoroughness" of the review.

The statement added that the data had included results from lab work and from clinical trials in humans as well as manufacturing and quality controls, product sampling, and testing of the final product.

It concluded: "This process is designed to make sure that any vaccine approved meets the expected high standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

"No vaccine would be authorised for supply in the UK unless the expected standards of safety, quality and efficacy are met. " 

And Dr June Raine, its chief executive, said simply: "The public's safety has always been at the forefront of our minds - safety is our watchword."

Earlier Professor Stephen Evans, who worked on vaccines for the previous incarnation of the MHRA said he thought criticisms of the speed with which the UK approved the first coronavirus vaccine were "mistaken".

He added: "I suspect Dr Fauci doesn't necessarily know all the details of the MHRA procedures.

"I respect him enormous.... but he is not a regulator, he is a researcher… His criticism, I don't think, has a great deal of validity."

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2020-12-03 19:14:27Z
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