" This Bill is a landmark in environmental legislation and will set us firmly on the path to the low-carbon economy we know is fundamental to our future. We need to provide the framework that will give Government, businesses and individuals a clear idea of how we're going to tackle climate change.
We also need to show the world that we're taking decisive action within our own borders, particularly ahead of the crucial talks in Bali next month where we want to launch formal negotiations on a comprehensive future climate deal that involves every major country on earth.
This Bill shows the world that we're serious, and that we're not asking other countries, and in particular poorer countries, to do what we're not willing to do ourselves. This is vital to our ambition to get a future deal agreed by the end of 2009"
Hilary Benn, Environment Secretary
London: Landmark legislation that sets out plans to tackle climate change for the next 50 years is published in the UK Parliament today.
The Climate Change Bill is the first of its kind in the world and lays down a framework that the UK Government says will put Britain on the path to become a low-carbon economy, with legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050, and 26 to 32 per cent by 2020, against 1990 levels.
The Bill is intended to achieve carbon dioxide emission reductions through a system of five-year carbon budgets set fifteen years ahead, which Government considers would give investors and policymakers certainty and direction.
The Climate Change Bill also includes a specific measure to allow local authorities to pilot local authority incentives for household waste minimisation and recycling.
Key features of the Bill
The Bill will make the Government’s 2050 target of at least 60% reduction in CO2 emissions legally-binding, with real progress by 2020.
A new system of 5-year carbon budgets established 15 years ahead, will be introduced.
A new independent, statutory body, the Committee on Climate Change, will be established to provide independent expert advice and guidance to the Government on achieving its targets and staying within its carbon budgets.
A new system of annual open and transparent reporting to Parliament will be introduced. The Committee on Climate Change will provide an independent progress report to which the Government must respond.
There will be 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.
Powers will be established to enable Government to introduce new trading schemes, similar to the Carbon Reduction Commitment, a new cap and trade scheme for large organisations such as local authorities, supermarkets and other large retailers, and government departments. The Carbon Reduction Commitment will be introduced through the Bill.
Much of the Bill applies to the whole of the UK and the Government is working closely with the Devolved Administrations, according to Defra.
As well as advising on carbon budgets, the Committee on Climate Change, proposed in the Bill, will be required to investigating whether the 2050 target needs to be strengthened further, as well as reporting on the impacts of including emissions from international aviation or shipping in the UK's targets.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
"This Bill is a landmark in environmental legislation and will set us firmly on the path to the low-carbon economy we know is fundamental to our future. We need to provide the framework that will give Government, businesses and individuals a clear idea of how we're going to tackle climate change.
"We also need to show the world that we're taking decisive action within our own borders, particularly ahead of the crucial talks in Bali next month where we want to launch formal negotiations on a comprehensive future climate deal that involves every major country on earth.
"This Bill shows the world that we're serious, and that we're not asking other countries, and in particular poorer countries, to do what we're not willing to do ourselves. This is vital to our ambition to get a future deal agreed by the end of 2009."
Further information
The Climate Change Bill, published today, will be available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation/index.htm.
The Government responded to pre-legislative scrutiny and the public consultation on the Bill through a Command Paper which was published on 29 October. The Command Paper is also available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation/index.htm.
A Bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law that is presented for debate before Parliament. Bills may be introduced in either the House of Commons or House of Lords for consideration, debate and amendment.
Both Houses of Parliament need to agree on the content of a Bill, after which it is passed to the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, for approval. The Bill becomes an Act of Parliament and is law once Royal Assent has been given.