LONDON, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Tuesday that Britain is to bring forward an end to the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2040 to 2035.
Joined by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, Johnson made the announcement when launching the next UN climate conference COP26 slated for November in Glasgow.
The event at the Science Museum also kicked off a Year of Climate Action, with events to take place across Britain in the run-up to the COP26.
"Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight against climate change," said Johnson.
"There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet...2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming -- it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all," he said.
The prime minister also called for international efforts to reach net zero emissions as early as possible through investment in cleaner, greener technology, preservation of natural habitats and measures to improve resilience to climate change impact.
Demonstrating Britain's resolve to reduce emissions, the government plans to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035, or earlier if possible. The proposals also include hybrid vehicles for the first time and people will only be able to buy electric or hydrogen cars and vans once the ban comes into effect.
The change in plans comes after experts warned the previous target date of 2040 would be too late for achieving the clean-up of old conventional cars on the roads by 2050.
"We want to go further than ever before. That's why we are bringing forward our already ambitious target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to tackle climate change and reduce emissions," said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Later this month, Italy will host the meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Rome where negotiators are due to review a draft proposal for a global framework to protect the world's plants and wildlife.
