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UK Government Announce Draft Climate Change Bill

UK Environment Secretary, David Miliband, has announced plans for a climate change bill that, if made into law, would become the first piece of legislation anywhere in the world to put a limit on greenhouse gas emissions. The bill targets a 60% reduction in emissions on 1990 levels by the year 2050.

Legally Binding Emissions Targets

The main points of the bill will be:

• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% on 1990 by 2050;
• To set suitable interim targets between now and then to ensure that this target is met. This could include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 26% to 32% by 2020;
• To set up an independent panel to set a 'carbon budget' every 5 years. Future governments could be taken to court if they exceed this budget;
• Funding for energy efficiency in people's homes;
• Investment in low-carbon systems and renewable energy, such as carbon capture and storage, wind power, wave power and solar power;
• Obligation for the government to make annual progress reports.

But it does not go quite far enough

The draft Bill makes no mention of international air travel or shipping in and out of the UK. And, a 60% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is no longer thought to be enough to keep global temperatures from rising over 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The Bill, due to be published this autumn, could yet be amended to include these requirements.

Tony Juniper, Director of Friends of the Earth, made the following statement on the organisation's website:

"We are delighted that the Government has recognised the need for a new law to tackle climate change. The UK will be the first country in the world to introduce a legal framework for reducing carbon emissions. But the draft Bill must be strengthened if the UK is to set a global example. It must include bigger cuts in carbon dioxide emissions and make all future governments accountable for their role in delivering these cuts. That's why The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's climate campaign, is calling for strong legislation which will commit government to cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of three percent every year."

A cut of 3% a year would equate to a cut of 80% on 1990 levels by 2050. This has been echoed by many other charities and environmental groups.

Friends of the Earth said they would like the Climate Change Bill to include the following points:

• Ensure that UK carbon dioxide emissions are cut by an average of at least three per cent every year;
• Include international aviation & shipping emissions;
• Establish a tough independent body to set future targets and demand action when targets slip;
• Require an annual progress report to Parliament, with a debate, led by the Prime Minister.

David Miliband Statement

David Miliband, Environment Secretary, made a video statement, which you can view by clicking on the picture below (it opens in a new window).