14 March 07
For immediate release
MP welcomes Government’s blueprint for tackling climate change
The draft Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in any country, was launched this week. The Bill sets out a framework for moving the UK to a low-carbon economy.
Local MP, John Healey, a member of the Cabinet Committees which have been preparing the government's climate change policy said:
“Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing this country. Government must rightly lead from the front on this, but we want everyone – the public, industry, Parliament – to have their say to help us ensure that the Bill really delivers.”
Key points of the draft bill include:
- A series of clear targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions – including making the UK’s target for a 60 per cent reduction by 2050 and a 26 to 32 per cent reduction by 2020 legally binding.
- A new system of legally binding five year “carbon budgets”, set at least 15 years ahead, to increase the certainty that businesses and individuals need 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.
- 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 5-year carbon budget and the 2020 and 2050 targets.
- A requirement for Government to regularly report on current and predicted impacts of climate change and on its proposals and policy for adapting to climate change.
The accompanying strategy paper sets out a how the Climate Change Bill fits into the Government’s wider international strategy and a range of future domestic policies to achieve its aims. It argues that all sectors of society will have to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy, but that this does not mean a reduction in standards of living, and sets out a vision for how the UK can move to a low carbon economy including:
- Investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, wind, wave and solar power.
- Significantly more energy efficient use of energy.
- A step change in the way energy suppliers operate so that they focus on reducing demand rather than just supplying as much energy as possible.
- Consumers becoming producers as well as consumers of energy.
- ENDS -
Notes to editors:
- For more information please contact: Joanne Wilson, Researcher to John Healey MP on Tel: (01709) 512463
- The Draft Climate Change Bill and accompanying paper can be accessed at www.defra.gov.uk.
- Comments on the draft bill should be sent to www.defra.gov.uk. The closing date for comments is 11 June 2007.
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