Government publishes Climate Change Bill More news
15 November 2007The Government has announced the introduction of a Climate Change Bill which will make the Government's target of cutting CO2 emissions 60% by 2050 a legally binding target. The Bill is likely to include interim, but not annual, targets.
The Queen's Speech, which outlined the Climate Change Bill and other legislation for the next parliamentary session, said that the Bill will also establish a "Carbon Committee" to ensure the CO2 reduction target is met.
The legislation will be centred around "four pillars":
- placing the target to cut CO2 emissions by 60% from 1990 levels by 2050 on to the statute books
- establishing an independent "Carbon Committee" to work with ministers to deliver reductions "over time and across the economy"
- creating new powers to ensure the 2050 target is achieved
- improving the way CO2 reductions are monitored and reported, including to Parliament
The introduction of the Bill was generally applauded by opposition politicians and environment groups but there was concern that it should not be watered down. There were also further calls for the Bill to include annual targets, but this looks likely to be resisted by the Government.
The Climate Change Bill also includes a provision (Schedule 6) for a corporate body to act as Administrator of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO). The Bill provides full details of the the powers and responsibilities of the Administrator which has already been announced as the Renewable Fuels Agency. (See related links)
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