Christian Aid: Climate change bill is a good start

Tuesday, 13, Mar 2007 12:00

Christian Aid has said the new climate change bill is a good start but needs to go further if it is to be effective.

Secretary of state for the environment David Miliband published the bill today and it proposes a 60 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

Senior climate policy officer Andrew Pendleton said: "Mr Miliband is to be congratulated for publishing the bill and he is right to be proud of it - he and the government are an example to the rest of the G8.

"But if the final legislation is not significantly stronger, the process would represent a massive lost opportunity. It is the first step on a long journey rather than the destination itself."

Christian Aid wants a cut of at least 80 per cent with annual targets to check progress. They also advocate mandatory reporting of emissions by British companies.

The charity also wants aviation and shipping emissions to be included within the target.