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| Tougher carbon targets law urged | Tougher carbon targets law urged |
| (40 minutes 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. |
| Their report said the 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. |
| Friends of the Earth said the prime minister should set a higher target for cutting carbon emissions. | 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. | 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 | No limit |
| READ THE FINDINGS Joint Commitee report on Draft Climate Change Bill [914KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ THE FINDINGS Joint Commitee report on Draft Climate Change Bill [914KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| 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". |
| 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. |
| See a graph of UK CO2 emissions | See a graph of UK CO2 emissions |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 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. | 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. |
| 'Groundbreaking bill' | 'Groundbreaking bill' |
| "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. | "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. |
| And the report says the government must give a higher priority to changing the behaviour of individuals with major public information campaigns. | 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 there would have to be a "quite significant shift in behaviour change". | 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". |
| 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 | 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 |
| But he welcomed the "groundbreaking" draft bill and dismissed arguments that Britain's contribution mattered little, when other, larger countries continued to pollute. | But he welcomed the "groundbreaking" draft bill and dismissed arguments that Britain's contribution mattered little, when other, larger countries continued to pollute. |
| 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." | 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 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. | 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. |
| Tougher targets | |
| "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," he said. |
| Friends of the Earth campaigns director Mike Childs said the draft bill had to be strengthened. | 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. | "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. |
| Martin Harper, head of sustainable development at conservation charity the RSPB, said the target should be 80% not 60% to stop temperatures rising too quickly. | |
| He said the "uncontrolled expansion of airports" had to stop and added: "Ministers must include aviation emissions in legally binding greenhouse gas targets." | |
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