The Big Ask climate change law debate

More than 1,000 people turned out in central London recently for a lively debate on the Climate Change Bill.

The audience at the Big Climate Change Law Debate

The panel included Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment and his Conservative and Liberal Democrat counterparts, Peter Ainsworth and Steve Webb.

The Bill will set legally binding targets for cutting emissions for the first time.

Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment

Public pressure

They were subjected to tough questioning from the audience, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Manchester to attend.

The packed hall applauded the Government for introducing the Climate Change Bill but called for it to be strengthened.

Specific demands included increasing the target for cutting emissions from 60% to 80% to bring it in line with the latest science.

The panel takes a question from the floor

Tougher targets

Mr Benn said emissions from international aviation are an international problem. As such they need to be addressed at a European level through the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Many in the audience disagreed and insisted that the Bill should cover emissions from international aviation and shipping from the outset.

Political backing

Steve Webb of the Liberal Democats backed Friends of the Earth's call for all emissions to be included in the Bill.

The Bill must also include international aviation and shipping emissions and must commit the UK to cutting its emissions by 80% cut.

Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat

Peter Ainsworth added that the Conservative party had worked to imrove the Bill during its time in the House of Lords.

The Conservatives have made some amendments aimed at getting aviation and shipping included in the Bill and making the Prime Minister responsible for it. I hope they stay in

Peter Ainsworth MP, Conservative

Next steps

The politicians congratulated Friends of the Earth and Stop Climate Chaos supporters for their role in making the Climate Change Bill happen.

Over half a million people from across the UK have contacted their MP to demand a law and the Government listened.

MPs will now have a chance to debate the Bill as it arrives in the House of Commons later this month. They can make amendments to the proposed law before it is introduced later this year.