Low Carbon Economy.com
MPs have been congratulated for passing the “world’s strongest” legislation to combat climate change by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) UK.
The Climate Change Bill, which commits the UK to reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 including aviation and shipping sectors, was passed by an overwhelming majority on Tuesday (October 28).
According to UNICEF UK, a triumph of public campaigning saw some 200,000 people get in touch with their MPs to urge them to vote for the legislation.
Intense lobbying has led to a bill which obliges companies to publicly report carbon emissions and sets ambitious reduction targets.
UNICEF UK climate change project manager Lucy Stone said: “We congratulate the government on this groundbreaking piece of legislation and will continue our lobbying to make sure these targets translate into national and global action.”
Ms Stone added that climate change is already affecting the world’s poorest children.
Earlier this month, the government created a dedicated department for energy and climate change, and placed Ed Miliband at its head.
In one of his first moves he accepted the proposals of the Committee on Climate Change and raised the emissions reduction target from 60 per cent to 80 per cent.
The bill is now to be scrutinised by the House of Lords. Read it here.
