UK climate change bill: comment 15 March 07

The Government's draft Climate Change Bill could well prove to be one of the most important political landmarks this generation. It marks the beginning of a transition towards a low-carbon economy: the most significant economic change in Britain since the end of the Second World War.

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This article was first published in the Independent on 14 March 2007. Original version here.

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The Bill will put the UK in a crucial position internationally, making us the only country so far to set legally-binding cuts in emissions. Developing nations are far more likely to join in a future round of Kyoto negotiations now that Britain is taking the lead. Moreover, the 60 per cent by 2050 target is not set in stone – it can be tightened up as the science demands.

Although environmental campaigners will be disappointed that their demand for annual 3 per cent cuts is not going to be implemented, the provision for five-yearly “carbon budgets” will ensure that greenhouse gas emissions stay on the political front page.

The idea of an independent Climate Change Committee to oversee the establishment and implementation of these targets is a good one – the committee can take account of the science and keep a distance from pressures faced by politicians to “go easy” on cuts.

I have also heard from the Environment Minister, David Miliband, that new “enabling powers” the Bill contains will allow the introduction of personal carbon allowances without any need for new legislation. In effect, the Climate Change Bill could therefore pave the way for national carbon credit cards, where each of us has an annual allowance. It sounds draconian, but I am convinced that it is a far better way to go than intrusive government micro-management of every aspect of our daily lives, such as implied by the proposals for road-pricing.

Campaigners should be celebrating, and working to ensure first that the Bill is not watered down before it becomes law, and second that it is implemented fully – including the urgent introduction of personal carbon allowances. Only then will we be doing our duty in the face of the climate challenge.