Lord Adair Turner's committee on climate change has published its first report outlining the steps the government must take in order to meet its carbon reduction targets.

Its recommendations have been welcomed by the Confederation of British Industry, which insists the report is a "landmark assessment" of the UK's energy needs.

John Cridland, the organisation's deputy director-general, said the report "sends the government a strong message that immediate action is needed if the UK is to make a decisive shift to a low carbon economy by 2020".

The committee claims it is possible - both in economic terms and in relation to the technology available - to make significant cuts in carbon emissions in the years ahead.

However, it points out that a fundamental shift in behaviour is needed in order to achieve this, with increased investment in renewables and low-carbon energy sources cited as key steps.

The report also recommends that the government does not to purchase carbon offset credits as part of its efforts to meet carbon reduction targets.