The Climate Change Law6 November 2008
The Climate Change Law is the first of its kind in the world.
But what exactly is it? And why do we need it?
What is the Climate Change Law?
The UK will be the first country to set legally binding targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The Law commits the UK to at least 80% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2050.
And at least 26% by 2020.
The target will include all sectors of the economy.
Even our share of international aviation and shipping will count.
Will we meet the targets?
The Law requires the Government to set greenhouse gas budgets for the UK.
The budgets say how much GHG emissions the UK can release within a 5-year period, and where these emissions should come from.
Successive budgets will steadily reduce the amount of GHGs the UK can emit.
The Law also requires annual targets to make sure the UK is on track to meet its GHG budgets.
Did you know?
Greenhouse gases cause climate change. The most common is carbon dioxide (CO2).
Greenhouse gases cause climate change. The most common is carbon dioxide (CO2).
Climate Change Committee
An independent panel of experts - the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) - will advise the Government.
It will set the GHG budgets and say where emissions cuts should come from.
It will also monitor Government's progress in hitting targets - and tell the Government how to get back on track if it is failing.
Government will then state how it will follow the CCC's advice.
Boats and planes
The Government also agreed to include the UK's share of international aviation and shipping emissions in the Law.
The Climate Change Law says estimates of these emissions must be counted towards the overall reductions target.
So if these emissions increase then bigger cuts will have to be made in other sectors of the economy.
How is the law different?
In the past, politicians were always promising to do something about climate change. But they never seemed able to deliver.
So each promise has been quietly forgotten about.
Now - for the first time - we have legally binding targets for cutting GHG emissions.
And a proper process for ensuring we stay on track to meet these targets.
The Climate Change Law "sets up a whole new currency for Government".
Government advisor
If emissions don't fall the law requires the Government to develop new policies to get back on track.
Setting the UK's GHG budgets will become as much a part of the political timetable as the financial budget is now.
Government departments will have to consider how much money they spend and how much they emit.
Global lead
The Climate Change Law raises the bar on climate action ahead of important international negotiations in 2009.
It sets an example the rest of the world can follow.
The Big Ask campaign is inspiring action across the world.
Friends of the Earth groups in 17 countries across Europe and Japan have already launched similar campaigns.
A movement is building.
We will only avoid dangerous climate change if every country does its bit to cut emissions.
This Law shows the world the UK is ready and willing to play its part.
© Friends of the Earth
