The Climate Change Bill is claimed to be the ‘first of its kind’ in any country. Together with the accompanying strategy, it provides a blueprint for tackling climate change in the coming decades. Environment Secretary David Miliband said, “With climate change we can't just close our eyes and cross our fingers. We need to step up our action to tackle it, building on our considerable progress so far. And time isn't on our side. This bill is a critical part of the equation.”

The UK government wants the targets to be legally binding. A system of legally binding five year ‘carbon budgets’, set at least 15 years ahead, is to provide clarity on targets and certainty for businesses and individuals who need to invest in low carbon technologies. A new statutory body, the ‘Committee on Climate Change’, will provide independent expert advice and guidance to Government on achieving its targets and staying within its carbon budget.

The strategy paper sets out how the Climate Change Bill fits into the Government's wider international strategy and a range of future domestic policies to achieve its aims. All sectors of society should contribute, without compromising on comfort.

The draft bill will be subject to a full public consultation alongside pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament. Miliband: “Crucially the Climate Change Bill demonstrates our determination that [the UK’s] leadership role will continue.”

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