Draft Climate Change Bill

The RSC welcomes the ambition of the UK Government to lead by example in setting statutory carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction targets.  However, the UK accounts for only 2% of global greenhouse gases; therefore if UK CO2 emission reductions are not matched by concerted global efforts then the UK economy will suffer and the world will continue to warm. The RSC believes that it is absolutely critical that the legislation be fit for purpose and that it must be must be fully scrutinised so as to avoid unanticipated and detrimental effects.  Presented below are the key points of the RSC response:

• The RSC has significant concerns over the make up of the committee and in particular over the three identified expert positions of technology development, energy production and climate science.  The RSC recommends the experts serving on the Committee each be advised by a shadow stakeholder group that will comprise experts covering the key aspects of the topic so that the Committee member can present balanced unbiased advice to the Committee on Climate Change.  
• The Draft Climate Change Bill does not stress the importance of adaptation sufficiently.  The RSC recommends that the Committee on Climate Change should have a dedicated position for an expert on adaptation expert (and associated expert shadow stakeholder group).
• The RSC is concerned that focusing purely on CO2 and not on other greenhouse gases may limit the extent to which global warming can be tackled, particularly if the UK is to invest in international projects.
• The RSC is unclear as to the implications if the Government should fail to achieve 5-year, the interim 2020 or the final 2050 targets.
• There is a need for the Government to introduce long-term measures to support research, development, demonstration and deployment of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also to support the development and retention of skilled people.