Climate Change: Britain Takes Historic Step

Britain is to become the first country in the world to set legally binding targets for cutting its carbon dioxide emissions, says The Independent. The targets will be aimed at cutting emissions of the gas which causes global warming by between 26 per cent and 32 per cent by 2020, and 60 per cent by 2050.

In a draft Bill published yesterday, ministers promised to enshrine into law their commitment to cut emissions. Opposition parties and Labour MPs joined forces in calling for an 80 per cent reduction.

*New system of five-year ‘carbon budgets’ to cap total emissions. Limits set 15 years in advance to help business planning. Ministers say that the caps will set a ‘trajectory’ for hitting longer term Government CO2 emissions targets.

*Courts are to be given powers to ‘name and shame’ ministers if targets are missed.

“Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, hailed Mr Blair as an ‘action hero’ for inspiring him to introduce a law committing California to an 80 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050.

“In a joint interview with Mr Blair for ITV News, Mr Schwarzenegger said: ‘It is very clear the Prime Minister has been a great inspiration to many, many countries all over the world… I think he is a pioneer, because he has had the guts to sign the Kyoto treaty and to show to the world that you can protect the environment and protect the economy at the same time’.”

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