Climate Change Law: UK savings first

5 November 2008

The Climate Change Law is an enormous step forward in the fight against climate change.

It is something we can all be proud of.

But it's possible the Government could buy in carbon credits. Carbon credits are investments in foreign emissions reductions projects. And they could count towards the targets for cutting greenhouse gases.

This could mean that the UK fails to invest in low carbon technology at home.

And the credits we buy could be for projects that would have been built anyway - so there's no added benefit to the environment.

Saving at home

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to ensure that the vast majority of the emissions reductions are made in the UK.

It's still important for the UK to support low carbon development in poor countries but it's no substitute for cutting emissions at home.

Chance to get it right

The Government should address this issue in November when the House of Lords votes on the Climate Change Bill.

The Committee on Climate Change is also likely to address this issue when it publishes its first budget reports in December.

The Government must then respond positively when it lays out its plans in March 2009.

What happens next >