The Big Ask goes to the Commons 1 April 2008
It is almost three years since The Big Ask campaign for a tough climate law began. MPs will soon have the chance to vote on the content of the Climate Change Bill before it becomes law.
The Bill has just finished its progress through the Lords and will arrive in the Commons this month.
Lords success
Thanks to powerful lobbying, several amendments to the Bill were put forward during the debate in the Lords. The fantastic news is that every single amendment put forward made it even stronger.
Things are moving in our direction but we're not quite there yet. The Big Ask calls for the Bill to be strengthened in three key ways.
- Bigger cuts
The latest science shows we need carbon dioxide emission reductions of at least 80% by 2050. - Aviation and shipping
All sources of emissions need to be counted under the law - including the UK's share of international aviation and shipping emissions. - Annual targets
We want to see short annual targets for reductions to hold this and future Governments to account.
One success, two to go
Over 200,000 people have spoken out on the changes we want to see to the climate change law. Those voices have been heard.
In March this year the Government announced they will use annual reduction target-ranges. This will ensure steady annual progress towards the overall targets.
Public pressure
More than 1,000 people recently turned out for a lively climate law debate in Central London. The event was hosted by Friends of the Earth and Stop Climate Chaos.
The Big Climate Change Law Debate
The panel included Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment and his Conservative and Liberal democrat counterparts, Peter Ainsworth and Steve Webb.
They were subjected to tough questioning at the packed public meeting. Find out more.
Next steps
We've done well - it's going to be a groundbreaking law. But we've still got some way to go to make it as strong as it needs to be.
We need to keep the pressure on to get aviation and shipping emissions included in the final law. We also need to raise the overall reduction target to 80% by 2050.
Take action
In the next few weeks we'll be in touch with a fun and easy campaign action on aviation and shipping for you and all your friends ... watch this space!
In the meantime please keep up the pressure on David Cameron and Gordon Brown. Ask them to accept these final two amendments to strengthen the Climate Change Bill.
Email Cameron and Brown about toughening up the climate change law.
© Friends of the Earth
