MPs criticise Whitehall free-for-all on reporting emissions

Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal fired power station in Nottinghamshire. Across Whitehall, rules for reporting, gathering data and taking action on emissions are vague, the MPs say. Photograph: Brian Lawrence/Alamy

The UK government is failing to lead by example on taking action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet a legally binding target of reaching net zero by 2050, a watchdog has said.

Across Whitehall departments the rules for reporting, gathering data and taking action are vague, there is a free-for-all on reporting emissions reductions or the lack of them, and oversight is fragmented and ineffective, the public accounts committee said on Wednesday.