Launch of the Draft Climate Change Bill

I want to take this opportunity to keep you informed of the progress the UK is making in this area hence the length of the letter.

The evidence that human activity is changing our climate becomes more compelling by the week. So is the knowledge of the disastrous effects it will have on our lives – but more importantly of our children and their children - if we don’t act to halt and reverse it. There may be as little as a decade to stop adding to the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere before it’s too late to prevent irreversible climate change.

Recently therefore the debate on climate change has shifted from whether we need to act, to how much we need to do and by when.

Britain has shown consistent leadership in the field of climate change by setting bold targets and pursuing ambitious policies. The Government have already pushed climate change to the top of the international agenda; playing a huge role in getting agreement at Kyoto and the UK will easily meet its targets to slash carbon emissions.

We nearly all agree that we need to build on this, and quickly. In a speech to the Green Alliance Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP expressed his support and determination to tackle climate change; stating:

“I promise that the British Government will remain unstinting in our efforts to secure a strong global agreement over the next few months and years. “ The Chancellor argued that we must:

Ensure that pumping carbon into the atmosphere is not cost free so firms, and countries, have incentives to change their behaviour.

Invest in new technology, in renewables and other clean energy – and spreading this knowledge to developing countries. 

Provide tougher standards on insulation and to stop wastage from light bulbs, fridges, televisions and equipment on standby

Like me I’m sure you will agree that it’s not just the right thing to do; it also makes economic sense. The Stern report clearly states that, no matter what the cost of taking action now, the cost of delay will be many times more.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs David Miliband MP recently published the Draft Climate Change Bill commenting that: “With climate change we can’t just close our eyes and cross our fingers. We need to step up our action to tackle it, building on our considerable progress so far. And time isn’t on our side.

This Bill is the first of its kind in any country, and will help Britain move towards a low carbon economy by putting a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 onto the statutory book. Because this is a long-term problem, there will also be a target to reduce this country’s emissions by 60 per cent in 2050 into law.

To get to these ambitious targets there will be the introduction of statutory Carbon budgets that will run over five year periods with robust annual reporting to Parliament.

Another important part of the Bill will be to allow carbon trading schemes. That means, at some point in the future, every business, local authority, supermarkets and perhaps even individuals will be given quotas to how much carbon dioxide they are allowed to pump into the environment.

This Bill forms only part of the Government’s commitment to tackle climate change across a range of fields. The forthcoming White Papers on Planning and Energy and the Waste Strategy will also play an important part.

It is right that the public, Parliament and a wide range of interested organisations have an opportunity to discuss and debate these proposals – as climate change is after all an issue which affects us all and this Bill is intended to create a framework that lasts for more than a generation. If you would like to comment on the Bill you shall be able to read the whole Bill online here.

However if you would prefer to have a hard copy then please let me know as I would be more than happy to send you one.

Both at home and abroad we must build a partnership which is stronger, broader and deeper than ever before. We can only solve this issue when we all work together, Government, business and individuals. Each of us can make a difference.  And all of us together can make the difference.