Developing a Long-Term Climate Change Mitigation Strategy

Abstract

Various governments around the world are in the process of developing long-term climate change mitigation strategies. The British Labour government has been particularly active. In March 2007 it published a draft Climate Change Bill which provides a new legal framework designed to underpin efforts to mitigate climate change. Following public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny, a revised Bill was introduced into Parliament in November 2007; the new legislation is expected to become law during 2008. The key features of the Bill include a statutory target of reducing targeted greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050, the establishment of a new system of five-yearly 'carbon budgets’ (set at least 15 years ahead), the creation of a powerful new expert Committee on Climate Change to advise, review and report on crucial climate change issues, and additional powers enabling governments to introduce new trading schemes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This article assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the Climate Change Bill and considers whether similar legislation should be adopted in other developed countries, such as New Zealand.