Draft Climate Change BillThe Stationery Office, 2007 M03 13 - 172 pages This document contains a consultation document, the text of the draft Climate Change Bill, explanatory notes to the Bill, and a regulatory impact assessment, published for pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation. The Bill will introduce a long-term framework for the UK to achieve its goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The consultation document discusses the context and rationale behind the Climate Change Bill and sets out the main reasons why legislation in this area is required. The key elements of the Bill are: (1) setting targets in statute and carbon budgeting, with a statutory goal of a 60 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action by 2050, based on a new system of "carbon budgets" set at least fifteen years ahead (with reviews at five yearly intervals), and with progress reported annually to Parliament; (2) establishing an independent Committee on Climate Change to advise the government on how to reduce carbon emissions over time and across the economy; (3) creating enabling powers to allow the introduction of new domestic emissions trading schemes through secondary legislation; (4) reporting requirements will enhance the overall transparency and accountability of UK action on climate change, with the Committee on Climate Change reporting annually to Parliament on progress towards budgets and targets, with the Government required to produce a response to this independent report. The consultation closes on 12 June 2007, and responses are invited using the electronic form that is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/climatechange-bill/ although any electronic / written format will be accepted. Responses should be sent to: E-mail: climatechangeconsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk or by post to: Patrick Erwin / James Hardy, Climate Change Legislation Team, Area 4/F5, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE. |
Contents
CONTENTS | 3 |
Consultation Document | 47 |
Draft Climate Change Bill 34 | 51 |
Explanatory Notes 20 | 20 |
Regulatory Impact Assessment | 58 |
Common terms and phrases
abatement achieve action activities adaptation advice affirmative resolution procedure allowances amended analysis annual benefits Bill as published borrowing budget period budgetary period carbon budgets carbon credits carbon debits carbon dioxide emissions carbon dioxide equivalent carbon management carbon price certainty clause Climate Change Bill CO₂ CO2 emissions CO2e commitment Committee on Climate consultation decision Defra developed countries draft Bill draft on 13 emissions reduction pathway emissions reduction targets emissions trading Energy White Paper ensure environmental EU-ETS flexibility framework fuel poverty gases GHG emissions global Government Government's greenhouse gas emissions implementation increase investment Kyoto Protocol limit low-carbon economy markets mechanisms minimise mitigation costs Option outlined overall overseas Parliament participants potential proposed published in draft reduce emissions response risks secondary legislation Secretary sectors statutory targets Stern Review Subsection target for 2050 targets and budgets technologies trading schemes trajectory UK carbon account UK carbon dioxide UK emissions UK's