26th October 2006

News that there will be a Climate Change Bill in the forthcoming Queens Speech is a welcome first step, but it must be accompanied by urgent and far-reaching action if it is to avoid being just the latest example of fine rhetoric divorced almost entirely from the reality of the problem.

We must have strict mandatory annual emissions-reduction targets and a wholesale review of Government policy, including Labour’s commitment to road-building and aviation growth. Otherwise it simply won’t work.

A key policy which would help significantly is Domestic Tradable Credits where everyone is given a carbon emissions allowance (i). This would massively increase individual responsibility for rising temperatures and make it easier for people to understand the notion of carbon frugality, and how to strive for it.

We also need a serious attempt to deliver a similar binding global agreement at the forthcoming Kyoto Protocol review conference in Nairobi.  This should, be based on the principle of ‘Contraction and Convergence’ which includes developing nations, and places the greatest burden for emissions reduction on those most developed countries that have contributed most to the problem.

Climate change is a global problem – we need to put our own house in order as well as supporting international action if we are going to stave off its worst impacts.

Cllr Martin Whiteside, Hillside, Claypits Lane, Thrupp, Stroud
Stroud District Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson


Notes for Editors

(i) Domestic Tradable Quota for carbon is a Green Party policy with the following aims: a) To reduce the UK's carbon emissions in line with the current, all be it inadequate, target of a 60% reduction by 2050. b) To change the way we as a society view carbon emissions by making each of us personally responsible for our own carbon footprint. The system of tradable quotas covers all emissions of carbon dioxide produced by the burning of fossil fuels as well as: a) Purchase of electricity (from non-renewable sources) b) Air flights c) Direct purchase of fossil fuels (gas, coal, petrol, diesel, fuel oil)

The total annual carbon quota is equal to current total carbon emissions. The quota is then reduced annually in line with agreed targets. A proportion of the total quota is distributed by the government to all eligible adults in the UK for personal needs (all adults receive the same quota). The remaining quota is then sold to organisations (public, private and voluntary) through a system set up by the government. Another system is set up by the government for people and organisations to buy and sell quotas.

However for this to work in practise research shows it requires massive investment in - a) Energy conservation b) Public transport c) Renewable energy technology.