Britain is set to become the first country to set legally binding targets to reduce carbon emissions under plans unveiled today.

The draft Climate Change Bill, launched by Environment Secretary David Miliband, will see ‘carbon budgets’ set every five years in an attempt to cut emissions by 60% by 2050. It will also force government to report to parliament on its progress on meeting climate change goals on an annual basis.

The Bill stops short of demands for annual targets to reduce greenhouse gases. However, opposition MPs are reported to be planning to table amendments that would force the government to accept annual targets.

The draft Bill will now go to public and parliamentary consultation with the full Climate Change Bill due to be published in the autumn before becoming law next year.

Under the proposals the government’s plans include:

  • Legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050 and a 26-32% reduction by 2020
  • ‘Carbon budgets’ to be set every five years that cap emissions
  • A new statutory body, the Committee on Climate Change, to provide independent expert advice and guidance to government on achieving its targets
  • Promoting greater energy efficiency with more consumers generating their own energy
  • Investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, wind, wave and solar power
  • New powers to enable the government to more easily implement policies to cut emissions

Source

Building Sustainable Design