The Climate Change Bill
The UK, for the first time anywhere in the world, is introducing a long term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change.
The Climate Change Bill was introduced in Parliament on 14 November 2007 and completed its passage through the House of Lords on 31 March 2008. It has now moved to the House of Commons for consideration.
The aim is to receive Royal Assent by autumn 2008.
Recent changes and updates; key current documents
The Climate Change Bill completed its consideration at Committee stage in the House of Commons on 8 July 2008. The only changes made to the Bill in Committee were the amendments proposed by the Government. A number of these are minor technical improvements. The remainder make the changes previously outlined in the Commons Second Reading debate, responding to amendments made in the House of Lords and adding powers in relation to single-use carrier bags. Further details can be found below.
- Outcome of Commons Committee Stage (July 2008) (PDF 23 KB)
- Partial Impact Assessment of powers to require charges for single-use carrier bags, June 2008 (PDF 100 KB)
- Outcome of the second reading debate (9 June 2008) (PDF 20 KB)
- Final Impact Assessment, April 2008 (PDF 600 KB)
- Annex to the Final Impact Assessment: corporate reporting clause (PDF 40 KB)
- Follow the Bill's progress or obtain a copy (on Parliament website)
Further information
Background
The UK Government is committed to addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change and has therefore introduced a Climate Change Bill. The Bill will create a new approach to managing and responding to climate change in the UK through: setting ambitious targets, taking powers to help achieve them, strengthening the institutional framework, enhancing the UK’s ability to adapt to the impact of climate change and establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK, Parliament and devolved legislatures.
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Page last modified: 21 July 2008
Page published: 13 March 2007