As a result of a massive civil society campaign, the UK is about to pass historic legislation which binds the government to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. However, a major loophole remains which threatens the credibility of the Bill – will it be closed before the Bill is given Royal Assent?
We speak to Eliot Whittington (Christian Aid), Martyn Williams (Friends of the Earth), Steve Webb MP (Liberal Democrats) and Dr Alice Bows (Tyndall Centre).
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"It is clear that we need to display greater commitment to tackling climate domestically if we are to have a credible voice in international negotiations. The leadership demonstrated in the commissioning of the Stern Review and bringing forward the Climate Change Bill is in danger of being undermined by ... an over-reliance on international credits in meeting domestic emission reduction commitments - Environment Audit Committee, July 2008
"We urge caution about the use of international carbon credits. The argument that a tonne of carbon reduced abroad is the same as a tonne of carbon reduced at home is an over-simplification of a complex issue." - Environment Audit Committee, July 2008
"It looks like between one and two thirds of all the total CDM offsets do not represent actual emission cuts." - David Victor, Stanford University
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Links/references:
Loophole in Climate Bill could see UK Carbon Emissions Rise (WDM)
www.wdm.org.uk/news/loopholeinclimatebill29102008.htm
Leaked papers show Britain trying to weaken plan for EU carbon cuts (Sept 2008)
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/18/carbonemissions.climatechange
Reaching an International Agreement on Climate Change (EAC, July 2008)
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvaud/355/35502.htm
"Between one and two thirds of all the total CDM offsets do not represent actual emissions cuts"
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/26/climatechange.greenpolitics
Gordon Brown Backs Heathrow Third Runway
www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23584891-details/Brown%20backs%20third%20runway/article.do?expand=true#StartComments
Planning Bill must include Climate Duty (FoE)
http://foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/planningbill_06112008.html
Energy Bill: Renewable Energy Proposals must be Strengthened (FoE)
http://foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/energy_bill_05112008.html
History of the Big Ask Campaign
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/big_ask_history_15798.html
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The 300-350 Show is named after what is now believed to the safe level in parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This finding is based on the work of James Hansen and his team in a paper titled "Target Atmospheric CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim." http://arxiv.org/abs/0804.1126
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"It is clear that we need to display greater commitment to tackling climate domestically if we are to have a credible voice in international negotiations. The leadership demonstrated in the commissioning of the Stern Review and bringing forward the Climate Change Bill is in danger of being undermined by ... an over-reliance on international credits in meeting domestic emission reduction commitments - Environment Audit Committee, July 2008
"We urge caution about the use of international carbon credits. The argument that a tonne of carbon reduced abroad is the same as a tonne of carbon reduced at home is an over-simplification of a complex issue." - Environment Audit Committee, July 2008
"It looks like between one and two thirds of all the total CDM offsets do not represent actual emission cuts." - David Victor, Stanford University
---
Links/references:
Loophole in Climate Bill could see UK Carbon Emissions Rise (WDM)
www.wdm.org.uk/news/loopholeinclimatebill29102008.htm
Leaked papers show Britain trying to weaken plan for EU carbon cuts (Sept 2008)
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/18/carbonemissions.climatechange
Reaching an International Agreement on Climate Change (EAC, July 2008)
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvaud/355/35502.htm
"Between one and two thirds of all the total CDM offsets do not represent actual emissions cuts"
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/26/climatechange.greenpolitics
Gordon Brown Backs Heathrow Third Runway
www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23584891-details/Brown%20backs%20third%20runway/article.do?expand=true#StartComments
Planning Bill must include Climate Duty (FoE)
http://foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/planningbill_06112008.html Energy Bill: Renewable Energy Proposals must be Strengthened (FoE)
http://foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/energy_bill_05112008.html History of the Big Ask Campaign
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/big_ask_history_15798.html
---
The 300-350 Show is named after what is now believed to the safe level in parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This finding is based on the work of James Hansen and his team in a paper titled "Target Atmospheric CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim."
http://arxiv.org/abs/0804.1126 
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