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'Binding' carbon targets proposed 'Binding' carbon targets proposed
(41 minutes later)
The government has unveiled plans to set a "legally binding" target to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. Britain could become the first country to set legally binding carbon reduction targets under plans unveiled by Environment Secretary David Miliband.
The draft Climate Change Bill calls for "carbon budgets" to be set every five years and for ministers to give annual progress reports on cutting emissions. He said the draft Climate Change Bill, which includes more cash for wind and solar power, provided "clarity and confidence" for business.
Environment Secretary David Miliband said the plans, which also include more investment in wind and wave power, provided "clarity" for businesses. Under the plans "carbon budgets" would be set every five years in an attempt to cut emissions by 60% by 2050.
He rejected opposition calls for annual targets on reducing emissions. Mr Miliband rejected opposition calls for annual emission reduction targets.
Mr Miliband said the Bill was "the first of its kind in any country", and Britain was "leading by example". Mr Miliband said the draft Bill was "the first of its kind in any country", and Britain was "leading by example".
"The debate on climate change has shifted from whether we need to act to how much we need to do by when, and the economic implications of doing so.
"The time is therefore right for the introduction of a strong legal framework in the UK for tackling climate change," he said.
He told BBC News 24 the Bill was "born of the recognition that while we have broken the link between economic growth and pollution, we need to do more. We need to be more radical".He told BBC News 24 the Bill was "born of the recognition that while we have broken the link between economic growth and pollution, we need to do more. We need to be more radical".
The draft Bill will go to public and parliamentary consultation before becoming law next year, but environmental campaigners want to raise the 2050 target to 80% and set annual 3% cut targets to ensure compliance.
Solar powerSolar power
The government's plans include:The government's plans include:
  • Targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 and between 26% and 32% by 2020
  • Targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 and between 26% and 32% by 2020
  • Greater energy efficiency, with more consumers becoming "producers" of their own energy at home
  • Greater energy efficiency, with more consumers becoming "producers" of their own energy at home
  • Investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, wind, wave and solar power
  • Investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, wind, wave and solar power
  • Carbon "budgets" - which cap emissions levels - set every five years
  • Carbon "budgets" - which cap emissions levels - set every five years
  • The government reporting annually to Parliament on its progress in controlling emissions
  • The government reporting annually to Parliament on its progress in controlling emissions
    • BBC News website environment correspondent, Richard Black, said the draft bill allowed for offsetting, which would soften the impact on business. BBC News website environment correspondent Richard Black said the draft bill allowed for offsetting, which would soften the impact on business.
    HAVE YOUR SAY I think these proposals are paying lip service and won't go far enough Anne, Sevenoaks Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I think these proposals are paying lip service and won't go far enough Anne, Sevenoaks Send us your comments
    But its overall effect on emissions would be limited without a new international agreement to replace the Kyoto protocol, which expires in 2012, he added.But its overall effect on emissions would be limited without a new international agreement to replace the Kyoto protocol, which expires in 2012, he added.
    Under the proposals, an independent body would advise on the setting of carbon budgets.Under the proposals, an independent body would advise on the setting of carbon budgets.
    Future policies to control emissions would also be made "quicker and easier" to introduce.Future policies to control emissions would also be made "quicker and easier" to introduce.
    Flights
    A full Climate Change Bill is set to be published in the autumn.A full Climate Change Bill is set to be published in the autumn.
    We've got to stop having a system whereby targets are set 10 years in advance, ignored up until year eight, and then are quietly dropped in year nine Peter Ainsworth, shadow environment Secretary
    At the weekend, the Conservatives unveiled environmental proposals including VAT or fuel duty on domestic flights.At the weekend, the Conservatives unveiled environmental proposals including VAT or fuel duty on domestic flights.
    But Mr Miliband said more focus was needed on cutting carbon emissions from homes, citing government plans to make all new houses carbon-neutral by 2016 and encourage the use of energy-efficient light bulbs.But Mr Miliband said more focus was needed on cutting carbon emissions from homes, citing government plans to make all new houses carbon-neutral by 2016 and encourage the use of energy-efficient light bulbs.
    We've got to stop having a system whereby targets are set 10 years in advance, ignored up until year eight, and then are quietly dropped in year nine Peter Ainsworth, shadow environment Secretary
    He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "At the moment, domestic buildings account for 25% of the UK emissions.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "At the moment, domestic buildings account for 25% of the UK emissions.
    "Aviation represents 5%, so aviation is important but it's one fifth as important for this big problem as domestic emissions.""Aviation represents 5%, so aviation is important but it's one fifth as important for this big problem as domestic emissions."
    He dismissed calls for annual carbon reduction targets, saying "changing your policy on the basis of one year's weather isn't a sensible way of doing things".He dismissed calls for annual carbon reduction targets, saying "changing your policy on the basis of one year's weather isn't a sensible way of doing things".
    Annual targets
    He also said that "criminalising aviation won't save the planet".He also said that "criminalising aviation won't save the planet".
    Chancellor Gordon Brown said the bill would mean governments would "manage our carbon budgets with the same prudence and discipline" as economic budgets.Chancellor Gordon Brown said the bill would mean governments would "manage our carbon budgets with the same prudence and discipline" as economic budgets.
    Annual targets
    But opposition MPs are reported to be planning to table amendments which would force the government to accept annual targets.But opposition MPs are reported to be planning to table amendments which would force the government to accept annual targets.
    The bill seeks to set regular budgets for reducing emissions
    Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said the proposals would not work without annual targets.Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said the proposals would not work without annual targets.
    "We've got to stop having a system whereby targets are set 10 years in advance, ignored up until year eight, and then are quietly dropped in year nine." he said."We've got to stop having a system whereby targets are set 10 years in advance, ignored up until year eight, and then are quietly dropped in year nine." he said.
    Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said his party was "certainly supporting the bill" but that the 60% target may "not be good enough".Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said his party was "certainly supporting the bill" but that the 60% target may "not be good enough".
    "We may well need to aim more towards about 80%, but it's a good first start and the framework is broadly right," he told BBC News."We may well need to aim more towards about 80%, but it's a good first start and the framework is broadly right," he told BBC News.