Britain sets new environmental targets
Although it has been predicted that Britain will miss its Kyoto targets for environmental improvement, the United Kingdom’s government has set new and higher aims, even though these are already being criticised as insufficient.
The UK has become the first country to propose legislation that sets binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
In its draft Climate Change Bill, the government said carbon dioxide emissions had to be cut by at least 60percent by 2050; set out five-year carbon budgets to reach the target; and created an independent monitoring committee to check annual progress.
“This bill is an international landmark,” Environment Minister David Miliband told a news conference. “It is the first time any country has set itself legally binding carbon targets. It is an environmental contract for future generations.”
The draft bill also sets a legally binding interim target for carbon cuts of 26 to 32percent by 2020.
Miliband said failure to meet targets could land governments in court. “Governments that fail to meet the stipulations of the bill will be subject to judicial review.”
He added: “It will be for the courts to decide what sanctions to apply.”
The bill will undergo three months of public and parliamentary consultation before becoming law next year, but green campaigners are saying that the aims do not go far enough and the 2050 target should be raised to 80percent.
Meeting the targets will need firm action and the government has already said it will phase out high-energy light bulbs in favour of long-life, lower power versions; will make it easier for people to insulate their homes; and will try to persuade the EU to ban wasteful electrical devices such as standby switches.
But it has not yet decided on further taxes on the volume producers of greenhouse gases, such as air and road transport.
For more information, visit www.defra.gov.uk
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