Skip to main content

Climate Change Bill

Volume 454: debated on Monday 4 December 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what ways the Government's Waste Strategy 2000 and its pending review will inform the provisions of the Climate Change Bill which was announced in the Queen's Speech; and if he will make a statement. (103811)

The impact of waste management on climate change is one of the key considerations of the Review of the Waste Strategy. Waste accounts for 3.4 per cent. of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and the integrated approach that will be set out in the revised waste strategy will reduce these emissions.

The Climate Change Bill will put into place a long-term framework for emissions reductions including putting in statute the Government's goal of a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. It will also establish an independent body—the Carbon Committee—to work with the Government to reduce emissions across the economy, create enabling powers to put in place measures to achieve our goals and improve monitoring and reporting arrangements.

We are determined to promote the widest possible debate in the Houses of Parliament and across the country about the contents of the Bill. The outcome of the Review of the Waste Strategy will help inform this process.