Commentary Climate change and energy Section 42: Duty of Mayor and Assembly to address climate change
102.Action is required both globally and domestically to prevent climate change, primarily by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. In addition to its commitment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent below base year levels by 2008-12, the Government has set national goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010 and by 60% by 2050, with real progress by 2020. Action is also required to adapt to the actual and expected consequences of climate change. The Government believes that regional and local government have an important role to play in tackling climate change.
103.Section 42 amends the GLA Act 1999 and places a duty on each of the Mayor and the Assembly to address climate change.
104.The Mayor is required to take action in Greater London to help prevent climate change and to help Greater London to adapt to both the actual and expected consequences of climate change. The Mayor and Assembly are each required to take into account Government policies on climate change whenever they exercise their functions and to have regard to any guidance and comply with any directions issued by the Secretary of State as to how they are each to discharge their duties with respect to climate change.