As has been widely publicised, the UK Government published a draft Climate Change Bill on 13 March 2007. The draft is subject to public consultation & pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament. Key points include: A series of targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, including making the UK's targets for a 60% reduction by 2050 & a 26%-32% reduction by 2020 legally binding; A new system of legally binding 5y "carbon budgets", set at least 15 years ahead to increase the certainty that businesses need to invest in low carbon technologies; A new statutory body "Committee on Climate Change," to provide independent expert advice/guidance to Government on achieving its targets; A system of annual reporting to Parliament & a requirement for Government to report at least every 5y on current & predicted impacts of climate change its proposals & policies for adapting. to climate change.
