The Government has launched a consultation on a draft Climate Change Bill. The proposals set out the framework for Britain’s response to climate change up to 2050. The main intiatives set out in the Bill are:

• Carbon budget: set emissions limits over five year periods. It is proposed that budgets be set at least three periods (15 years) ahead to provide long term predictability.
• Committee on Climate Change: to advise on both the level of the carbon budget and what measures to take to stay within it. The Committee will report annually to parliament on the government’s progress towards its budget and targets.

The BES is responding. The deadline for responses is 12 June 2007.