Principal Legislation
Climate change caused by global warming due to emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is widely acknowledged as being one of the most serious environmental problems society must tackle.
Policy measures for dealing with this problem are still emerging, substantial proposals for future measures were put forward in the government's 2006 Energy Review.
The Climate Change Bill
This Bill puts into statute the UK's targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action by at least 60 per cent by 2050 and at least 26 per cent by 2020, against a 1990 baseline.
The Bill will require the Government, on a regular basis, to assess the risks to the UK from the impact of Climate Change and report to Parliament
It is expected to receive Royal Assent by the end of 2008.
Transport
Transport accounts for around a quarter of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions from the UK. There are tax incentives for fuel-efficient company car fleets. EEF has linked up with the Energy Savings Trust to provide advice on greening car fleets. They can help reduce fleet costs, cut vehicle carbon emissions and improve company social and environmental reputation. Visit Greener Fleets
Energy Act 2004 (2004/Ch 20)
This Act, which is in four parts with 23 Schedules, covers three main areas: the civil nuclear industry; sustainability and renewable energy sources; and energy markets and Regulation. It implements the Government's White Papers ‘Our energy future: creating a low carbon economy’ and ‘Managing the Nuclear Legacy - A Strategy for Action’. The Act also creates a single wholesale electricity market for England, Wales and Scotland: the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (‘BETTA’).
It received Royal Assent on 22 July 2004, and apart from a few provisions, the Act applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
See the Environment Guide.