UK Legislation: taking the Climate Change Bill forward
The UK Government is committed to addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change and has therefore committed to introducing a Climate Change Bill.
The draft Bill was published on 13 March 2007 for pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation. On 29 October 2007 the Government published its response to the parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation in the Command Paper Taking Forward the UK Climate Change Bill. The Command Paper sets out how the Climate Change Bill will be strengthened and made more transparent.
The Bill will create a new approach to managing and responding to climate change in the UK through: setting ambitious targets, taking powers to help achieve them, strengthening the institutional framework, enhancing the UK’s ability to adapt to the impact of climate change and establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK, Parliament and devolved legislatures.
Climate Change Bill introduced into Parliament
The Bill was introduced into the House of Lords on 14 November 2007. The aim is to receive Royal Assent by spring or early summer 2008. To accompany the Bill, we have published a finalised Impact Assessment, building on the partial Regulatory Impact Assessment published in March which formed part of consultation package on the draft Climate Change Bill.
Command Paper and related documents
Government's response to the parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation on the Draft Climate Change Bill
Background
The debate on climate change has shifted, from whether we need to act towards how much we need to do by when, and the economic implications of doing so. The time is therefore right for the introduction of a strong legal framework in the UK for tackling climate change. The Climate Change Bill is the first of its kind in any country.
The proposed Bill provides a clear, credible, long-term framework for the UK to achieve its goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and will ensure that steps are taken towards adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Key provisions of the Bill
Targets
- This Bill puts into statute the UK's targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action by at least 60 per cent by 2050 and 26-32 per cent by 2020, against a 1990 baseline.
- This target will be reviewed, based on a report from the new independent 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, in the target.
- Five-year carbon budgets, which 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 – providing the best balance between predictability and flexibility. These budgets will be backed by strong annual accountability and independent scrutiny.
- Emission reductions purchased overseas may be counted towards the UK’s targets, consistent with the UK’s international obligations. This ensures emission reductions can be achieved in the most cost effective way, recognising the potential for investing in low carbon technologies abroad as well as action within the UK to reduce the UK’s overall carbon footprint.
Committee on Climate Change
- A Committee on Climate Change will be set up as an independent, expert body to advise the Government on the pathway to the 2050 target and to advise specifically on: the level of carbon budgets; reduction effort needed by sectors of the economy covered by trading schemes, and other sectors; and on the optimum balance between domestic action and international trading in carbon allowances.
- It will take into account a range of factors including environmental, technological, economic, fiscal, social and international factors, as well as energy policy, when giving its advice.
Enabling Powers
- The Bill contains enabling powers to introduce new trading schemes, such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment, through secondary legislation. This increases the policy options which Government could use to stay within budgets and meet emissions targets, while maintaining the need for thorough analysis , consultation and scrutiny of proposals before a new scheme is intoduced.
Reporting requirements
- The Committee on Climate Change will have a specific role in reporting annually to Parliament on the UK’s progress towards achieving its targets and budgets. The Government will be required to lay before Parliament a response to this annual progress report.
- Every five years, the Committee’s report will contain an explicit review of the UK’s performance over the last budget period, and the implications of this for keeping on track to meet future targets and budgets.
Adaptation to the impact of climate change
- The Bill will require the Government, on a regular basis, to assess the risks to the UK from the impact 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, based on the principles of sustainable development to ensure that environmental, economic and social issues are all fully considered.
Other measures to reduce emissions
- We will use the Bill to enhance the operation of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO), which is expected to deliver significant carbon savings from the road transport sector by increasing the use of biofuels.
- We will also use the Bill to provide a power to pilot local authority incentive schemes for household waste minimisation and recycling - Waste Strategy for England 2007: incentives for recycling by households
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Page last modified: 22 November 2007
Page published: 13 March 2007
