November 2007
The Queen’s Speech: What’s New For Climate Change?
"A revolutionary step" or just more hot air? The Queen’s speech revealed that Britain is to become the first country in the world to propose legislation to set binding limits on CO2 emissions.
The Climate Change Bill seeks to manage UK emissions for the next 43 years, up until 2050, with the ultimate aim of a 60% reduction. A 26-32% intermediate target would be set for 2020, and there would be a mandatory system of five year carbon budgets to help meet the target.
In addition, a new independent monitoring body, which would report to Parliament annually on progress made towards these goals, would be set up. The body would also have responsibility for advising the government on methods to achieve targets and develop a program of sustainable adaptation for the country.
Although opposition parties and environmentalists called for annual emissions targets, which were rejected by the government as "too rigid to make allowances for climate variations from year to year," green campaigners warmly received the news. Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth stated "We"re delighted that the UK is set to become the first nation to introduce legislation to cut its contribution to climate change. But the government must strengthen its proposed legislation if it is to be truly effective and deliver the scale of action that scientists are now calling for." He went on to reiterate the need for further cuts of up to 80%. "If Gordon Brown toughens up this legislation, his visions of becoming a world leader in developing a low-carbon future can become a reality."
However, Green Party spokesman Caroline Lucas attacked the government and green campaigners for raising unrealistic expectations of compliance. "It's criminally irresponsible to adopt a target that not only flies in the face of science, but also undermines the UK's commitment to making a fair contribution to limiting average global temperature increases to no more than two degrees… Whilst I welcome proposals to create a legal framework to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, low level targets that we are not likely to meet do not constitute radical action on climate change."
Although the environment secretary strived to make clear that Britain was "leading by example" and that legislation would force the government to be held to account by an independent body for its actions, doubts still linger.
The Bill which is shortly set to be put before parliament will nonetheless face a tough examination. Questions as to why aviation and shipping emissions are not addressed and the need for more targets or greater oversight are foremost amongst opposition concerns. It has also been suggested that avoiding the prickly issue of aircraft emissions has been decided with one eye on the ballot box.
Additionally, two further climate change related bills were also been proposed - the Planning Reform Bill and an Energy Bill. Likewise, they have both faced criticism from environmentalists, with the planning reform bill being labelled as a "developers" charter as it will make way for the government to expand and speed up its program of housing and infrastructure development. It is seen to be at odds with the Climate Change Bill by the Council for the Protection of Rural England, who claim "it is a piece of legislation which will help push through new airports, roads and power stations, all significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions." This is a criticism extended to the Energy Bill. It would contain provisions to facilitate private investment in offshore gas supply projects, carbon capture and storage, and strengthen the renewables obligation to boost renewable energy in the UK, but there remain unresolved issues of nuclear and fossil fuel generation that campaigners feel need addressing as a priority.
As such, the Prime Minister faces the prospect of having to weather a stormy response.
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