The 300-350 Show: Climate Change Bill
First Broadcast: 13 November 2008
Featuring:
- Eliot Whittington (Christian Aid)
- Martyn Williams (Friends of the Earth)
- Steve Webb MP (Liberal Democrats)
- Dr Alice Bows (Tyndall Centre)
As a result of a massive civil society campaign, the UK will soon pass historic legislation which will bind the government to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. However a major loophole remains which threatens the credibility of the Bill - there is no limit on the amount of international credits the UK can buy up in order to meet this target. Will this loophole be closed before the law is given Royal Assent?
It is clear that we need to display greater commitment to tackling climate domestically if we are to have a credible voice in international negotiations. The leadership demonstrated in the commissioning of the Stern Review and bringing forward the Climate Change Bill is in danger of being undermined by policies such as airport expansion plans or an over-reliance on international credits in meeting domestic emission reduction commitments - Environment Audit Committee, July 2008
We urge caution about the use of international carbon credits. The argument that a tonne of carbon reduced abroad is the same as a tonne of carbon reduced at home is an over-simplification of a complex issue. Permitting the use of too many international carbon credits will drive down the cost of carbon, but this will also make renewables and air pollution targets more expensive to reach and potentially slow down the long term shift to a low-carbon economy in the UK - Environment Audit Committee, July 2008
It looks like between one and two thirds of all the total CDM offsets do not represent actual emission cuts - David Victor, Stanford University
History of the Big Ask Campaign
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/big_ask_history_15798.html
Loophole in Climate Bill could see UK Carbon Emissions Rise (WDM)
www.wdm.org.uk/news/loopholeinclimatebill29102008.htm
Reaching an International Agreement on Climate Change (EAC, July 2008)
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvaud/355/35502.htm
Leaked papers show Britain trying to weaken plan for EU carbon cuts (Sept 2008)
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/18/carbonemissions.climatechange
"Between one and two thirds of all the total CDM offsets do not represent actual emissions cuts"
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/26/climatechange.greenpolitics
Planning Bill must include Climate Duty (FoE)
http://foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/planningbill_06112008.html
Energy Bill: Renewable Energy Proposals must be Strengthened (FoE)
http://foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/energy_bill_05112008.html
Gordon Brown Backs Heathrow Third Runway
The 300-350 Show is named after what is now believed to the safe level in parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This finding is based on the work of James Hansen and his team in a paper titled "Target Atmospheric CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim." http://arxiv.org/abs/0804.1126
Available Audio
Climate Change Bill – Listen Online | Download .mp3 (27.41 MB)