Coalition calls for climate change law

Thursday 14 July 2005

pollution A coalition of MPs and NGOs began calls for a new law to combat climate change in the UK yesterday, in response to rising emissions and following last week’s G8 summit. The coalition, which involves former Environment Minister Michael Meacher, more than 200 MPs and NGOs such as Friends of the Earth and WWF, announced its proposals in the House of Commons.

The wide-ranging group claims that the UK’s emissions will not be under control as long as there is no legal framework for performance, and reductions targets will become meaningless.

The new Bill contains a series of legally binding goals for lowering emissions by 3% every year, with high level reporting and contingency plans for failures in meeting the targets, including increased powers for Select Committees and requirements for ministers to bring in responsive policies.

"Targets that can be missed with impunity take us backwards on climate change. They provide an illusion of progress, while covering up the lack of real action to reduce emissions. This Bill will make targets meaningful, ensuring that Ministers are individually responsible for staying on track, and spelling out the consequences should they fail,” explained Matthew Davis, WWF-UK's Climate Change Campaign Director.