This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6928084.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tougher carbon targets law urged Tougher carbon targets law urged
(about 1 hour later)
The government's proposals to tackle climate change need to be tougher and legally enforceable, say MPs and peers.The government's proposals to tackle climate change need to be tougher and legally enforceable, say MPs and peers.
A report said the government's target of a minimum 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 may not be adequate. Their report said the target of a minimum 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 may not be adequate.
International aviation emissions should be included in targets and there should be a cap on the use of "carbon credits" to meet them, the joint committee said.International aviation emissions should be included in targets and there should be a cap on the use of "carbon credits" to meet them, the joint committee said.
It backed the government's five-yearly carbon targets, but said there should be annual "milestones" and reports. Friends of the Earth said the prime minister should set a higher target for cutting carbon emissions.
The report backed the government's five-yearly carbon targets, but said there should be annual "milestones" and reports. Both the Tories and the Lib Dems have called for annual carbon targets.
No limit
The joint committee on climate change was examining the government's draft Climate Change Bill - which ministers say shows Britain is "leading by example".The joint committee on climate change was examining the government's draft Climate Change Bill - which ministers say shows Britain is "leading by example".
Carbon credits
It sets out plans to reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 60%, from the 1990 base level, by 2050 - and sets an interim target of "at least 26% but not more than 32%" by 2020.It sets out plans to reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 60%, from the 1990 base level, by 2050 - and sets an interim target of "at least 26% but not more than 32%" by 2020.
The committee said that the 32% upper limit on carbon reductions should be removed, as there was no "compelling reason" for it.The committee said that the 32% upper limit on carbon reductions should be removed, as there was no "compelling reason" for it.
The government's proposal to use foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of our emissions targets is outrageous David HowarthLib Dems If Britain is prepared to step up and set an example to the rest of the world, you will be surprised how quickly the rest of the world might follow Lord PuttnamCommittee chairman
The committee expressed "surprise" that the government intended to buy foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of its emission savings under the EU emissions trading scheme. And it expressed "surprise" that the government intended to buy foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of its emission savings under the EU emissions trading scheme.
It says there should be an "absolute cap" on their use, saying: "The bill as currently drafted would still theoretically allow all the savings to be made externally to the UK, notably in developing countries, and thereby postponing the decarbonisation of the UK economy."It says there should be an "absolute cap" on their use, saying: "The bill as currently drafted would still theoretically allow all the savings to be made externally to the UK, notably in developing countries, and thereby postponing the decarbonisation of the UK economy."
The report also points out that emissions from international aviation are not included in the scope of UK targets, adding: "We consider this to be a serious weakness." The joint committee said it was a "serious weakness" that emissions from international aviation were not included in the targets and says the government is not taking sufficient account of predicted growth in aviation emissions.
In addition, the report says the government must give a higher priority to changing the behaviour of individuals with major public information campaigns.
'Groundbreaking bill''Groundbreaking bill'
The committee also calls for "further thinking" on legal enforceability of targets and budgets and suggests a system whereby the environment secretary could "redress any failure" to meet a target through the courts. "Further thinking" on legal enforceability of targets and budgets is needed, it said and it stressed the need for sufficient powers, resources and independence for the proposed oversight body, the Committee on Climate Change.
It also says the Committee on Climate Change - a proposed oversight body - must be given sufficient powers and resources, and local councils should help communities adapt "to the realities of climate change". And the report says the government must give a higher priority to changing the behaviour of individuals with major public information campaigns.
The committee's chairman, Labour's Lord Puttnam, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that ensuring this body was sufficiently resourced and that it used trusted science was key. The committee's chairman, Labour's Lord Puttnam, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there would have to be a "quite significant shift in behaviour change".
"What is important is that there is a body which is recognised and taken seriously," he said. The government must include international aviation in the emissions reductions targets and it must set a higher target to cut emissions Mike ChildsFriends of the Earth
Lord Puttnam said the draft bill was an "exceptionally significant piece of legislation" because of the scale of issues it was trying to address, and its potential impact on people. But he welcomed the "groundbreaking" draft bill and dismissed arguments that Britain's contribution mattered little, when other, larger countries continued to pollute.
"The government's biggest challenge is to ensure that we all understand the consequences of both our own and future generations failing to achieve the targets enshrined in this groundbreaking bill," he said. Lord Puttnam said the same arguments had been applied to the abolition of the slave trade, adding: "I think there's a very good chance, if Britain is prepared to step up and set an example to the rest of the world, you will be surprised how quickly the rest of the world might follow."
Liberal Democrat committee member David Howarth added: "The government's proposal to use foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of our emissions targets is outrageous. Liberal Democrat committee member David Howarth said heavy use of foreign carbon credits would delay the creation of a low carbon economy in the UK and would rely on other countries making changes.
"It puts off creating a low carbon economy in the UK and relies on other countries making the necessary changes. "The committee has rightly taken a tough line on foreign credits. I hope the government listens," he said.
"The committee has rightly taken a tough line on foreign credits. I hope the government listens." Friends of the Earth campaigns director Mike Childs said the draft bill had to be strengthened.
"The government must listen, it must include international aviation in the emissions reductions targets and it must set a higher target to cut emissions based on the latest scientific evidence," he said.