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Bill · started in the Lords

Climate Change Act 2008

A Bill to set a target for the year 2050 for the reduction of targeted greenhouse gas emissions; to provide for a system of carbon budgeting; to establish a Committee on Climate Change; to confer powers to establish trading schemes for the purpose of limiting greenhouse gas emissions or encouraging activities that reduce such emissions or remove greenhouse gas from the atmosphere; to make provision about adaptation to climate change; to confer powers to make schemes for providing financial incentives to produce less domestic waste and to recycle more of what is produced; to amend the provisions of the Energy Act 2004 about renewable transport fuel obligations; to make other provisions about climate change; and for connected purposes.

Now an Act of Parliament

The story so farThe Climate Change Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 14 November 2007 by Lord Rooker (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law as the Climate Change Act 2008, receiving Royal Assent on 26 November 2008.

What the bill does

<p>The Climate Change Bill contains provisions that will set a legally binding target for reducing UK carbon dioxide emission by at least 26 per cent by 2020 and at least 80 per cent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. </p><p><strong>Key areas</strong></p><ul><li>Requires the Government to publish five-yearly carbon budgets as from 2008</li><li>Creates a Committee on Climate Change </li><li>Requires the Committee on Climate Change to advise the Government on the levels of carbon budgets to be set, the balance between domestic emissions reductions and the use of carbon credits, and whether the 2050 target should be increased </li><li>Places a duty on the Government to assess the risk to the UK from the impacts of climate change</li><li>Provides powers to establish trading schemes for the purpose of limiting greenhouse gas</li><li>Confers powers to create waste reduction pilot schemes</li><li>Amends the provisions of the Energy Act 2004 on renewable transport fuel obligations.</li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading Lords 14 Nov 2007
  2. 2nd reading Lords 27 Nov 2007
  3. Committee stage Lords 11 Dec 2007 to 4 Feb 2008
  4. Report stage Lords 25 Feb to 18 Mar 2008
  5. 3rd reading Lords 31 Mar 2008
  6. 1st reading Commons 1 Apr 2008
  7. 2nd reading Commons 9 Jun 2008
  8. Programme motion Commons 9 Jun 2008
  9. Money resolution Commons 9 Jun 2008
  10. Committee stage Commons 24 Jun to 8 Jul 2008
  11. Report stage Commons 28 Oct 2008
  12. 3rd reading Commons 28 Oct 2008
  13. Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons Lords 17 Nov 2008
  14. Programme motion Commons 18 Nov 2008
  15. Consideration of Lords amendments Commons 18 Nov 2008
  16. Royal Assent Unassigned 26 Nov 2008

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 9 Sep 2025.