Climate Change Act 2008

Climate Change Act 2008

The Climate Change Act 2008 became law on 26th November 2008. It provides a legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change.  The Act extends throughout the UK.

Copies of the Climate Change Act 2008 can be obtained via the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI): UK Statute Law Database here

Key provisions of the Act

• A legally binding target of at least an 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, to be achieved through action in the UK and abroad. There is also a target to reduce emissions by at least 34% by 2020 against a 1990 baseline.

• A carbon budgeting system which caps emissions over five year periods, with three budgets set at a time, to set out our trajectory to 2050.  The first three carbon budgets will run from 2008-12, 2013-17 and 2018-22, and were set in May 2009.The fourth carbon budget was set in June 2011 for the period 2023-27. The Government must report to Parliament its policies and proposals to meet the budgets.

• The Committee on Climate Change, an independent, expert body, was set up to advise Government on the level of carbon budgets and where cost effective savings can be made. The Committee submits annual reports to Parliament on the UK’s progress towards targets and budgets. The Government must respond to these annual reports, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability on an annual basis.

• On adaptation the Government must report at least every five years on the risks to the UK of climate change, and publish a programme setting out how these impacts will be addressed.

• In June 2009 an Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change was appointed. It's purpose is to provide advise and scrutiny throught the CCC to ensure that the Governments programme for adaptation enables the UK to prepare effectively for the impacts of a climate change.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on climate change go to this page.

Further information on climate change responsibilities specifically in Northern Ireland can be requested by contacting:

Climate Change Team
Department of the Environment
Goodwood House
44 - 58 May Street
Belfast BT1 4NN

Tel.: (028) 90 254 781.

E-mail: climate.change@doeni.gsi.gov.uk

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