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Climate bill 'to include planes' Climate laws to include planes
(about 23 hours later)
Aviation and shipping look set to be included in a government bill targeting cuts in greenhouse gases, to head off a rebellion by backbench MPs. The government has agreed to include aviation and shipping in an ambitious push to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
MPs will vote later on a bill to enforce an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. Ministers said they would give "due regard" to projected emissions from the two industries when setting budgets for carbon reduction in the future.
More than 50 Labour MPs have backed an amendment calling for the law to cover emissions from planes and tankers. More than 50 Labour MPs pressed for the sectors to be included in the Climate Change Bill, which sets a target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.
Ministers said the bill would "take into account" the two sectors, a move welcomed by environmental campaigners. Environmental campaigners have welcomed the government's change of heart.
'Comprehensive approach' The government agreed to redraft its bill, which was given a third reading by 463 votes to three - a majority of 460 - in the Commons.
But it is unclear what this will mean in practice and whether ministers will back the rebel amendment, signed by 56 MPs, seeking statutory rather than voluntary targets for aviation and shipping. It accepted an amendment requiring ministers to take into account projected emissions from the sectors when setting future budgets that will cap emissions.
The amendment seeks equivalent cuts in emissions elsewhere to make up for any rise in those from the two industries. Environment minister Joan Ruddock said that action to reduce emissions from commercial aviation and shipping was "vital" to tackle the threat of climate change.
The government has resisted calls in the past for such a move, arguing it would be difficult to determine how international aviation and shipping emissions could be allocated between different countries. "In setting or advising on budgets due regard should be given to emissions from international aviation and shipping," she said.
We want to reflect Adair Turner's advice to government that emissions from aviation and shipping should be taken into account when developing our strategy to reach our targets Government spokesman But she stressed the main way of tackling such emissions would be through international agreements such as the EU emissions trading scheme and a successor to the Kyoto climate change protocol.
But earlier this month, the new climate change secretary Ed Miliband said he would accept recommendations from the government's advisory committee on climate change, headed by Lord Turner, that the sectors must figure in climate change targets. 'Imperative'
In a statement ahead of Tuesday's vote, officials said they were "determined that international aviation and shipping should be part of a comprehensive approach for tackling climate change". Former environment minister Elliot Morley, who backed the amendment, said the industries' inclusion in the bill was "absolutely imperative" and would give a "clear signal" the UK was serious in moving to a low-carbon economy.
"We want to reflect Adair Turner's advice to government that emissions from aviation and shipping should be taken into account when developing our strategy to reach our targets," they said. The Conservatives backed the government's move, saying no industries should be "exempt" from efforts to tackle carbon change
But they added that there must also be a recognition that "there is currently no agreed method of allocating international emissions to individual countries". But they called for assurances that the competitiveness of the UK aviation industry would not be affected.
Environmental campaigners said such a commitment would make the legislation much more effective. The Lib Dems said there were no "firm guarantees" in the bill over the issue and said ministers were afraid of "tough action" against the aviation industry.
"The final piece of the jigsaw is in place," said Andy Atkins, of Friends of the Earth. Once agreed, the Climate Change Bill would make the UK the first country to have legally binding targets for the reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
"People from right around the UK demanded a strong law. The government have listened." It would require the government to publish carbon budgets every five years - starting in December - and enable it to set up carbon trading schemes to encourage firms to reduce pollution.
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said such a move would signal that ministers were "starting to take their environmental responsibilities seriously". The government has resisted calls in the past to include aviation and shipping, saying it would be nearly impossible to allocate responsibility for international emissions to individual countries.
But she said the government's current emissions record was poor and that it needed to prevent future airport expansion around London if it was to be serious about meeting its targets. The government's advisory committee on climate change, headed by Lord Turner, recommended last month that the sectors must figure in climate change targets while arguing that they would not be able to meet the 80% target by 2050.
The Climate Change Bill, being given its third reading in the Commons, would require the government to publish carbon budgets every five years and enable it to set up carbon trading schemes. 'Greener future'
Ms Ruddock said there was no "agreed methodology" on how emissions should be attributed at this stage.
But she said she was encouraged aviation would now be included in the EU's new emissions trading scheme and "optimistic" that plane manufacturers were committed to cleaner technology.
Environmental campaigners said the move would make the legislation more effective and pledged to hold ministers to the targets.
"Developing a low carbon economy here in the UK is the only way to deliver on the law, move Britain out of recession and into a greener more prosperous future," said Andy Atkins, executive director at Friends of the Earth.