The UK Climate Change Bill
UK Climate Change Bill
The UK, for the first time anywhere in the world, is introducing a long term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change.
The Climate Change Bill aims to receive Royal Assent by Autumn 2008.
Targets
This Bill puts into statute the UK’s targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
by at least 80 per cent by 2050 and at least 26 per cent by 2020, against a 1990 baseline.
The target will be reviewed by the Committee on Climate Change on whether it should be even stronger still, and the implications of including other greenhouse gases and emissions from international aviation and shipping. The Committee will report its findings by December this year.
Five-year carbon budgets will set binding limits on carbon dioxide emissions ensuring every year’s emissions count. Three successive carbon budgets (representing 15 years) will always be in law. These budgets will be backed by strong annual accountability and independent scrutiny.
Emission reductions purchased overseas may be counted towards the UK’s targets.
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Government has announced the creation of a new department to oversee legislation on energy and climate change.
Ed Miliband : Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Minister of State - Mike O’Brien MP
Minister of State - Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE (jointly with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Joan Ruddock MP
Enabling Powers
The Bill contains enabling powers to introduce new trading schemes, such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment, through secondary legislation.
Reporting requirements
The Committee on Climate Change will have a specific role in reporting to Parliament on progress towards achieving its targets and budgets.
Every five years, the Committee’s report will review the UK’s performance over the last budget period, and the implications of this for keeping on track to meet future targets and budgets.
Adapting to the impact of climate change
The Bill will require the Government, to assess the risks of Climate Change and report to Parliament.
The Government will also be required to publish and regularly update a programme setting out how we will address these likely impacts
The Bill also introduces powers for Government to require public bodies and statutory undertakers to make plans to address those risks.
Waste and Transport emissions will be the object of further focus and tighter legislation