themes
environment and
climate change
climate change bill
The UK's Climate Change Bill is aimed at addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change. Among the provisions are a target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a system of carbon budgeting, creation of trading schemes and the establishment of a Committee on Climate Change.
The UK Climate Change Bill claimed to be the first in the world to set a nation on a path towards legally binding cuts of 60 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions. On 16th October 2008 Ed Milliband, the government's new Energy and Climate Change Secretary, announced that the 60% target would be raised to 80%, on the recommendation of the government-appointed Climate Change Committee. This move was widely welcomed by environmental campaigners:
CAFOD 
Christian Aid
Tearfund
Trocaire
At that time he was criticised for leaving international aviation and shipping to be dealt with outside the bill, despite the fact that the Committee on Climate Change recommended reducing all carbon emissions by 80%. Since then, however, he has said that he is close to reaching an agreement on toughening the legally binding targets to take into account emissions from shipping and aviation, along with other obligations for businesses.
You can read the full Bill and amendments, plus track its progress:
Parliament web site
25 March 2008
Operation Noah has produced an updated briefing on the progress of the Climate Change Bill as it passed through the House of Lords:
Operation Noah briefing
A clear, very readable, briefing by the Joint Public Issues Team of the Methodist, Baptist and United Reform Churches, along with Quaker Peace and Social Witness, explains what the Bill is introducing and makes some additional recommendations:
Joint Public Issues Team briefing on the Climate Change Bill
The Rt Revd James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, spoke during the report stage of the Climate Change Bill in the House of Lords, on 11 March, in support of a new government amendment to ensure that the membership of the new committee on climate change would have expertise on international matters, as well as domestic ones:
Hansard report
