Southampton Sustainability Forum

The Climate Change Bill will introduce a clear, credible, long-term framework for the UK to achieve its goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and ensure steps are taken towards adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The Bill is the first of its kind in any country. It was accompanied by a strategy, and set out a framework for moving the UK to a low-carbon economy. It demonstrates that the UK is leading the way on progress towards establishing a post-Kyoto global emissions agreement.
The Bill was announced in the Queen’s speech on 15th November 2006 after massive demand from the public and environmental organisations such as Friends of the Earth.
The aim of the bill is to create a long-term legal framework to reduce the UK’s Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions to 2050.

“Climate Change Bill” key points include:

• Clear CO2 emission reduction targets, including a UK target of 60% reduction of 1990 levels by 2050 and a legally binding 26 – 32% reduction target by 2020.
• A new system of legally binding five year carbon budgets to provide clarity on the UK’s pathway towards its key targets and increase the pressure on businesses and individuals to invest in low-carbon technologies.
• A new statutory body, the Committee on Climate Change, to provide independent expert advice and guidance to Government on achieving its targets and staying within its carbon budgets. This will be headed by a chairman and five to eight experts in various fields related to climate change, supported by staff who will work for them.
• New powers to enable the Government to more easily implement policies to cut emissions.
• A new system of annual open and transparent reporting to Parliament. The Committee on Climate Change will provide an independent progress report to which the Government must respond. This will ensure the Government is held to account every year on its progress towards each five year carbon budget and the 2020 and 2050 targets.
• A requirement for Government to report at least every five years on current and predicted impacts of climate change and on its proposals and policy for adapting to climate change.
Other aspects of the Bill cover new emission trading schemes and integration of carbon emissions policy into the UK’s framework for sustainable development. This Bill will enhance other laws such as Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) and local schemes for household waste minimisation and recycling.

There are still some issues that the bill does not address, such as the emissions from international plane flights or shipping. It is worth noting that the Comittee on Climate Change would only recommend emission reduction targets – the government remains the decision-maker. Furthermore, some critics feel that the UK’s carbon budget should not be set 15 years in advance, as suggested by the Bill.

Many charities and NGOs are also calling for stricter emission reductions targets. ChristianAid and I Count are both campaigning for an increase in target to 80% reduction. Many NGOs feel that the government’s commitment to re-evaluate its targets based on new scientific evidence is not enough, and that targets should be stricter before the bill becomes law so that the Climate Change Bill will live up to its reputation of a truly effective legislation against climate change.

See the official Climate Change Bill page on the DEFRA website. The bill is due to to recieve Royal Assent in autumn.