Dear All

The Government has published a draft Climate Change Bill! What’s so good about this? Well it means that the UK is the first nation in the world to set a legal framework for managing carbon emissions – which I reckon is pretty special and something to be proud of.
And it’s all down to people like you – the carbon saving steps we’ve been taking at work!!!

While the publication of the draft Bill is a great first step, it’s not the end of it, problem solved. There’s going to be a consultation period on this draft. Below are some of the key impacts and things that haven't been addressed. There is also a link if you want to read a summary and/or take part in the consultation.

What's in:
This Bill puts into statute the UK's targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action by 60% by 2050 and 26-32% by 2020, against a 1990 baseline.

What's not:
A good start, but this lags behind the science which indicates 80% should be the target by 2050 – with a need for a minimum reduction of 30% by 2020. The Government needs to explicitly commit to keeping global warming under 2 deg.C danger threshold.

What's in:
Five-year carbon budgets, which will require the Government to set, in secondary legislation, binding limits on carbon dioxide emissions during five year budget periods, beginning with the period 2008-12. Three successive carbon budgets (representing 15 years) will always be in legislation.

What's not:
The UK needs annual budgets – if this can be done with the nation’s financial budget we can do it with the nation’s carbon budget - putting a Carbon budget at the top of the political agenda. The Bill does not set budgets in accordance with the UK’s fair share of green house gas contribution which needs to keep global warming under 2 deg.C. It also omits to ensure all sectors of the economy play their full part, including aviation and shipping.

What's in:
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.

What's not:
I Count wants to see real emissions reductions from UK activities in line with its fair share and responsibility of meeting global targets and not export our obligations.

And to see a brief summary of the Bill...

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/...
ation/index.htm