MPs demand sector-by-sector CO2 targets
Wed 19 December 2007
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A cross-party group of MPs is calling for the Climate Change Bill to incorporate sectoral targets for the achievement of carbon dioxide emissions reductions. An Early Day Motion signed by over 50 MPs (by 17 Dec)says that sectoral targets are important in order to prevent each sector passing the responsibility for reducing emissions on to others.
The Early Day Motion was initiated by Colin Challen MP and supported by ex-Labour environment minister Michael Meacher, Conservative chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Tim Yeo and LibDem Shadow Communities Secretary, Andrew Stunell.
The LowCVP has called for a sector-specific target for road transport on a number of occasions in the past.
The EDM says:
"That this House notes that the Climate Change Bill does not incorporate targets for the contributions that various sectors and technologies should make to the achievement of the UK's emissions reductions; believes in the effectiveness of such sectoral targets in order to prevent each sector passing the responsibility for reducing emissions on to others; agrees with the conclusions in July 2007 of the Joint Committee on the Draft Climate Change Bill that if carbon targets are to have any credibility, they must be based on a detailed analysis of the scope and potential for carbon reductions in specific sectors; agrees also with Professor Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, who in his evidence to that Committee said, `each sector needs to know where it is expected to go to justify private investment funds going into these sectors'; and therefore supports the Climate Change (Sectoral Targets) Bill, sponsored by a cross-party group of hon. Members, which requires the Secretary of State both to set initial targets in line with existing Government policy for emissions reductions in the commercial, residential and public sectors as well as targets for renewable energy and combined heat and power and also to set further longer term targets in these and other sectors in order to help achieve the Government's overall targets for reducing carbon emissions and meeting the UK's energy needs."
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