Key Benefits
The Bill would create a long-term legal framework to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions to 2050.
To enable the UK to meet its commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050;
To increase confidence and certainty for business planning and the investment in technology needed to move towards a low carbon economy;
To create a new approach to managing and responding to climate change in the UK through setting ambitious targets, taking powers to help achieve them, strengthening the institutional framework, and establishing clear and regular accountability to Parliament;
To demonstrate the UK's international leadership to help make progress towards a post 2012 global agreement;
To enhance the operation of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO), which is expected to deliver significant carbon savings from the road transport sector by increasing the use of biofuels;
Provide a power to pilot local authority incentives for household waste minimisation and recycling.
To implement the Carbon Reduction Commitment (a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme covering energy use emissions from approximately 4,000-5,000 large, non-energy-intensive organisations that will save 1.1 MtC per year by 2020); and
To provide a strong, sustainable framework for adapting to the impacts of climate change in the UK.
Make the Government's 2050 target of at least 60% reduction in CO2 emissions legally-binding, with real progress by 2020;
Introduce a new system of 5-year carbon budgets;
Establish a new independent Committee on Climate Change to advise the Government on the optimum trajectory to the 2050 target; and
Require Government to assess the risks from climate change in the UK and set out a sustainable programme of adaptation. |
