We signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, and we are still on target to nearly double our agreed reductions under that agreement: 23.6% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2012. But the science has moved on, and it is now clearer than ever that we must do more.

In March 2007 we published the draft Climate Change Bill. When it becomes law this summer, it will be the first such legislation proposed by any government in the world. It will, for the first time, legally oblige this and all future UK governments to commit to deep cuts in emissions. The Bill is truly a ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘historic’ document – these are not our words, but those used by Friends of the Earth to describe the Bill.

The central tenet of the Bill remains the UK’s commitment to the EU objective of avoiding a rise in global temperatures of 2 degrees. To achieve this, the Bill makes legally binding carbon dioxide reductions targets for 2020 (26-32% reduction) and 2050 (60% reduction) compared to 1990 levels. Because we view this Bill as just the first step, the Bill contains enabling powers to make future policies to control emissions quicker and easier to introduce. The Bill makes it clear that 60% is the minimum reduction permitted, and states that our reductions must always be at least in line with any international agreement.

We are also establishing an independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) which will hold the government to account on progress towards meeting the goals set out in the Climate Change Bill. The CCC will advise the government on how to meet the targets, and present an independent report to parliament every year on how well we are doing towards these goals in order to ensure transparency and accountability.

Many people have been calling on the government to increase its commitment in cuts from 60% to 80%. We are ready to do this, if the Climate Change Committee recommends it. On 19 November the Prime Minister asked the CCC to look into this matter, and the Chancellor made clear our commitment in his Budget statement to the House of Commons last month. It is appropriate that we follow the guidance of independent experts who are at the forefront of climate change science. We expect the Committee to report back to us with their recommendation in the very near future.

People have asked me why the government will not commit to annual targets for meeting the 2050 goal. There are very good practical reasons why annual targets would not be appropriate. Carbon emissions are likely to vary year-on-year according to factors such as energy prices or especially cold winters. Annual targets would be overly restrictive because of these natural fluctuations. By forcing businesses into restrictive planning cycles, it could actually end up increasing wastage and inefficiency. For this reason we believe that setting five year targets is more appropriate. The Chancellor also announced last month that the first of these five-year carbon targets would be set in 2009’s Budget. These will enable us to allow for fluctuations in our carbon output, as well as allowing business and industry to plan and budget for the five-year period. 

Finally, the issue of international aviation and shipping emissions remains a difficult one as there is yet no international agreement on these matters. There is no ‘loophole’ in the Bill – the fact is we can’t include these emissions until we get an agreement. The Climate Change Bill allows these emissions to be included in the UK’s 2050 commitment once such an agreement is reached. The issues are complex: it is difficult, for example, to determine the allocation of emissions for a flight to Sydney beginning in London with a stopover in Dubai, by another country’s airline. However the UK is pushing hard for agreement on these issues. We are, for example, pressing for aviation to be included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme as soon as possible. This will cap emissions from the aviation sector so that any increase in emissions must be fully offset by requiring airlines to pay for equivalent emissions reductions from elsewhere.

The Climate Change Bill is just one of a range of measures we have put in place in recent years. By 2016 all new homes in the UK will be zero-carbon. Last month, the Chancellor announced that this would be extended to non-domestic buildings by 2019. Old style light bulbs will be withdrawn from sale beginning this year. The Energy White Paper will play a major role in meeting our 2050 targets by emphasising low carbon energy sources such as nuclear and renewables, while new technology such as carbon capture and storage will be implemented for fossil fuel power stations. We have established the Climate Change Levy – a tax to encourage businesses to pollute less. And for the first time sales of low emission cars now outstrip those of gas guzzlers, thanks to the changes in vehicle tax brought in by this government.

I have always believed that climate change is one of the greatest threats facing mankind today. I hope you will agree that government is leading the world on the environment, and the Climate Change Bill marks a new milestone in our fight against global warming.