Government publishes draft climate change bill

The publication of the Government's draft Climate Change Bill was welcomed by Friends of the Earth Cymru today (13 March). The campaign for a new climate change law has been led by Friends of the Earth through The Big Ask climate campaign (www.thebigask.com). The campaign was launched in 2005 to secure new legislation which would commit the Government to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by an average of at least three per cent every year.

Friends of the Earth Cymru is calling on political parties in Wales to commit to annual reductions in Welsh emissions of carbon dioxide in the run up to May's Assembly Elections. The references to secondary legislation in the draft climate bill make it likely that the Assembly Government will have a formal role in implementing the Act once it becomes law.

Friends of the Earth's director, Tony Juniper said:

"We are delighted that the Government has recognised the need for a new law to tackle climate change. The UK will be the first country in the world to introduce a legal framework for reducing carbon emissions. But the draft Bill must be strengthened if the UK is to set a global example. It must include bigger cuts in carbon dioxide emissions and make all future governments accountable for their role in delivering these cuts. That's why The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's climate campaign, is calling for strong legislation which will commit government to cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of three percent every year."

Friends of the Earth Cymru's Assembly Campaigner Gordon James commented:

"Friends of the Earth Cymru welcomes the introduction of this Bill. It does though still fall short of the measures needed to keep emissions below dangerous levels.

"We are calling on all political parties in Wales to go further by supporting, in their manifestos for the May elections, targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent a year. Wales' record on controlling emissions is poor and we have to do far more to turn things around.

"New powers that will become available under the Government of Wales Act should be used to maximum effect to enable us to achieve these reductions. With our world leading remit to promote sustainable development, Wales should be leading the way in the UK rather than lagging behind as at present."

Notes

1. Friends of the Earth says that the Climate Change Bill should:

   • Ensure that UK carbon dioxide emissions are cut by an average of at least three per cent every year
   • Include international aviation & shipping emissions
   • Establish a tough independent body to set future targets and demand action when targets slip
   • Require an annual progress report to Parliament, with a debate, led by the Prime Minister