The Government’s blueprint for tackling climate change was published yesterday.

The draft Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in any country, and accompanying strategy, set out a framework for moving the UK to a low-carbon economy. It demonstrates the UK’s leadership as progress continues towards establishing a post-Kyoto global emissions agreement.

Key points of the draft bill include:

*A series of clear targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions - including making the UK’s targets for a 60% reduction by 2050 and a 26 to 32% reduction by 2020 legally binding.

*A new system of legally binding five year “carbon budgets”, set at least 15 years ahead, to provide clarity on the UK’s pathway towards its key targets and increase the certainty that businesses and individuals need to invest in low-carbon technologies.

*A new statutory body, the Committee on Climate Change, to provide independent expert advice and guidance to Government on achieving its targets and staying within its carbon budgets.

*New powers to enable the Government to more easily implement policies to cut emissions. 

*A new system of annual open and transparent reporting to Parliament. The Committee on Climate Change will provide an independent progress report to which the Government must respond. This will ensure the Government is held to account every year on its progress towards each five year carbon budget and the 2020 and 2050 targets.

*A requirement for Government to report at least every five years on current and predicted impacts of climate change and on its proposals and policy for adapting to climate change.

The draft bill will be subject to a full public consultation alongside pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament.

"With climate change we can’t just close our eyes and cross our fingers. We need to step up our action to tackle it, building on our considerable progress so far. And time isn’t on our side.

"This bill is a critical part of the equation. It will help us achieve the twin goals I set out in the strategy I am also publishing today - demonstrating leadership through action at home, while also continuing to work towards a strong international agreement post-2012.

"Crucially the Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in any country, demonstrates our determination that this leadership role will continue. 

"Government must rightly lead from the front on this, but we want everyone - the public, industry, Parliament - to have their say to help us ensure that the bill really delivers.”

The strategy paper sets out how the Climate Change Bill fits into the Government’s wider international strategy and a range of future domestic policies to achieve its aims.

It argues that all sectors of society will have to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy, but that this does not mean a reduction in standards of living.

It sets out a vision for how the UK can move to a low carbon economy including:

*investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, wind, wave and solar power

*significantly more efficient use of energy

*a step change in the way energy suppliers operate, so that they focus on reducing demand rather than just supplying as much energy as possible