London committed to green economy

Though greenhouse gas emissions from the United Kingdom were up, London aims to meet its overall climate objectives, the energy secretary said. The British Department of Energy and Climate Change said data indicate overall greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 were 3.1 percent higher than in 2009. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said the 2010 increase was attributed to higher demand during an exceptionally cold winter. "One year won't knock the U.K. off meeting its long-term emission reduction targets, but it serves to underline the importance of the coalition's policies for insulating homes to cut bills and emissions and moving to greener alternative forms of energy," he said. British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the United Kingdom needs to start acting quickly in the renewable energy sector as it faces challenges from China, India, South Korea and Brazil for green capital. "In today's world the savviest states understand that going for growth means going green," he said. "Low-carbon markets are the next frontier in the battle for global pre-eminence."