BBC: 'Binding' carbon targets proposed [for Britain]

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6444145.stm

'Binding' carbon targets proposed

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 an independent panel to set ministers a "carbon budget" every five years, in a bid to cut emissions by 60% by 2050.

If they miss the figure, future governments could be taken to court.

The Tories and Lib Dems welcomed the proposals, but said carbon budgets should be set annually.

Mr Miliband has said annual targets would be too rigid to make allowances for climate variations.

He hailed the draft bill as "the first of its kind in any country", and said Britain was "leading by example".

'Rolling targets'

The draft legislation 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.

...

The government plans include:

• Targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, from 1990 levels, and between 26% and 32% by 2020


• 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


• Carbon "budgets" - which cap emissions levels - set every five years


• The government reporting annually to Parliament on its progress in controlling emissions


• Future policies to control emissions would also be made "quicker and easier" to introduce.

...

[OKIsItJustMe]

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