UK reveals climate change blueprint

The British government has outlined a framework to manage the UK's transition to a low carbon economy.

The draft Climate Change Bill will make the UK the first country to set a long-term legal framework for reducing emissions over the next 45 years and beyond.

In summary, the bill:

• makes carbon dioxide reduction targets for 2020 and 2050 legally binding (26-32% and 60% respectively);
• introduces a system of 'carbon budgeting' capping emissions over five-year periods - with three budgets set ahead to help business plan and invest with increased confidence;
• creates a new independent body, the Committee on Climate Change, to advise on the setting of carbon budgets and to report to Parliament on progress;
• contains enabling powers to make future policies to control emissions quicker and easier to introduce;
• introduces a new system of government reporting to parliament including on climate change adaptation policies.

The draft bill will be subject to full public consultation alongside pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament.

The Climate Change Bill can be viewed at the website of the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.