Ten minutes to reduce CO2 emissions
5th July 2006
Dr Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, today introduced his ‘Climate Change (Commercial and Public Services Sectors) Bill under the ten minute rule which aimed to complete the policy picture with regards to the lowering of CO² emissions in the UK.
Dr Whitehead was keen to use this opportunity to illustrate that the commercial and public sectors required stringent targets to halt climate change by reducing CO² emissions by 10% by 2010 compared with 2005, and then by an additional 10% in 2020. This is particularly relevant at a time when the UK looks set to undershoot its own domestic target, of a 20% reduction by 2020, by 6%.
The Bill would call on the Secretary of State to make an annual report on the progress towards these targets and whether they are likely to be met. It would also include proposals to rectify any setbacks if the targets looked like they be missed.
The Bill which has received support from over 200 MPs through thebacking of EDM 2378 has been tabled for second reading on Friday October 20th 2006.
Dr Whitehead said:
‘I am pleased to have been able to raise this important issue on the floor of the house even though it is unlikely my ten minute rule Bill will receive a second reading this late in the parliamentary session. The government has explicitly acknowledged that targets are needed in order for reasonable steps to to be made towards making energy use in these sectors cost effective and practicable and my Bill paves a sensible way forward.’
Dr Whitehead added:
‘Whilst, as a country, we may have set ourselves more ambitious targets in the reduction of CO² than those set by Kyoto - and are therefore already making considerable movement in the right direction - we still need to go much further if we are to make a real impact on climate change and in particular with respect to the commercial and public sectors. This government has therefore already shown its commitment to tackling CO² emissions and my Bill joins these up ensuring that all policy areas are covered.’
More Information
- The long title of the Bill is:
'That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the reduction of greenhouse gases; to promote energy efficiency and the consumption of renewable and low carbon energy in the commercial and public services sectors; to provide for the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on energy usage in the commercial and public services sectors; and for connected purposes.’ - Full text of EDM 2378:
- "That this House notes with concern that, according to the Department for Trade and Industry's updated projections, the UK will undershoot by 9.4 per cent. its domestic target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010;
- further notes that the new policy measures announced in the revised Climate Change Programme are projected to deliver emissions reductions of only 15 to 18 per cent, leaving the UK still 2 to 5 per cent. adrift of its target;
- further notes that the commercial and public services sector has the fastest growing energy use apart from aviation, and that its use of electricity, which has a particularly high carbon footprint, is projected to increase by nearly 45 per cent. from 1990 to 2020;
is concerned that, according to the Government's Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan, action to reduce energy consumption in the commercial sector `is not achieving its full potential'; - further notes that in recent Written Answers the Department for Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that it is both cost-effective and practicable to reduce energy usage in this sector by 10 per cent. below 2005 levels by 2010 and by a further 10 per cent. below 2010 levels by 2020;
- and therefore welcomes the introduction with cross-party support by the hon. Member for Southampton, Test of the Climate Change (Commerical and Public Services Sector) Bill, which sets targets to reduce energy usage by these amounts, and requires the Government to lay before Parliament a report specifying targets for energy production in the commercial sector from renewable sources, combined heat and power and microgeneration.
- Signatories of the EDM can be found here