Climate change bill aims for 60% reduction in CO2 emissions
Wednesday, 15 Nov 2006 15:20
Bill proposes to tackle climate change by cutting CO2 emissions by 60%
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A climate change bill to be introduced by the government will aim to reduce Britain's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.
During the Queen's Speech in the House of Lords this morning, Her Royal Highness announced that the bill would be introduced "to protect the environment, consistent with the need to secure long-term energy supplies".
As well as making a reduction of CO2 emissions into statute, the bill would establish the Carbon Committee, an independent body to work with the government to reduce emissions over time and across the economy.
Improved monitoring and reporting standards would also be introduced under the bill to ensure that there is accuracy in how the government reports climate change matters to parliament.
The decision to introduce a climate bill comes a fortnight after the Stern Report warned that if action is not taken to address global warming, the overall costs and risks of climate change will be equivalent to losing at least five per cent of global GDP each year.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Conservative leader David Cameron said: "Can I say how delighted I am that [the climate change bill] was included in the Queen's Speech."
Environmental groups have welcomed the proposed bill. Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said that he was also "delighted" that a climate bill was included.
"The bill is a crucial first step in ensuring the UK plays its part in keeping temperatures below danger levels," he said. "The next step is to ensure the bill delivers the cuts that are needed through the introduction of annual targets for reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions."
And the WWF believes the climate bill will make the government more accountable to meet its targets to reduce CO2 emissions.
"The climate change bill is a huge step forward in the battle to reduce our carbon emissions," said Paul King, director of campaigns at WWF-UK.
"It is vital that we put in place the right measures to meet the targets. We need to deal with carbon emissions in the same way as we deal with money by setting an annual budget. This should inform decisions across all departments of government and ultimately make it easier for people to make greener lifestyle choices."
Mr King added however that the WWF was "bitterly disappointed" that a marine bill had not been introduced.