UK takes lead on climate change[fr][de] 

On 13 March 2007, UK Secretary of State for Environment David Miliband laid out his government's plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 60% by 2050. The draft Climate Change Bill includes the following key points:

• Binding targets to reduce emissions by 60% in 2050 and between 26-32% for 2020;
• binding five-year "carbon budgets", set 15 years ahead to provide clarity for policymakers and certainty for businesses;
• setting up a Committee on Climate Change, giving advice and guidance to the government, and;
• annual and transparent reporting on progress to the national parliament.

The draft bill is subject to public consultation and will have to be ratified by parliament.

British business association CBI welcomed the government's climate-change proposals. "This bill is a big step forward in combining the two things we really need: long-term clarity on policy direction and flexibility in its delivery," said CBI Director-General Richard Lambert. 

UK Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper also expressed satisfaction but demanded even bigger cuts ("at least 3% every year") and the inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions.

The UK Conservative Party, which had proposed taxation on aviation and personal flights a day earlier, demanded annual reduction targets instead of five-year goals.