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29th October 2007

Details of a strengthened Bill to help tackle climate change have today been set out by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Mr Benn said that the Government would amend its draft Climate Change Bill, following a three-month public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny by three parliamentary committees.

When originally published in March 2007, the draft Bill set out clear legally binding targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by at least 60 per cent by 2050 and 26 to 32 per cent by 2020. This is to be based on a new system of “carbon budgets” set at least fifteen years ahead. It also proposed the creation of a new independent, expert Committee on Climate Change to advise on the best way to achieve these targets.

Mr Benn also confirmed that the Bill will be used to:

- Introduce the Carbon Reduction Commitment - a new cap and trade scheme for large organisations not already covered by other schemes;

- Help ensure that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which is expected to deliver significant carbon savings from the road transport sector by increasing the use of biofuels, delivers environmental benefits; and

- Provide a power so that a number of local authorities who want to can pilot incentives for household waste minimisation and recycling.

- Taken together it is estimated that these three policies could save the equivalent of up to 9.4 to 13.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2020.

The Government now plans to introduce a revised Bill to Parliament at the earliest possible legislative opportunity.

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