The Act Part 1: Carbon Target and Budgeting
6.This Part of the Act gives the Secretary of State a duty to reduce the net UK carbon account for the year 2050 to at least 80% below the level of net UK emissions of targeted greenhouse gases in 1990. The term “targeted greenhouse gas” is defined in section 24, the term “net UK carbon account” is defined in section 27 and the term “net UK emissions” is defined in section 29.
7.It also requires the Secretary of State to set “carbon budgets” representing UK emissions for five year periods beginning with the period 2008–2012, taking account of any “carbon units” which are credited or debited to the net UK carbon account under a system of “carbon accounting”. Part 1 of the Act includes a duty on the Secretary of State to report UK emissions levels to Parliament, and to report on the measures the Government will take to meet the carbon budgets in Part 1.
8.Part 1 makes further provision relating to the target and to budgets, including provision on how to calculate whether the target for 2050 has been met and how carbon budgets are to be set. It requires that the carbon budget for 2018–2022 is set in a way that is consistent with the Government’s target to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by at least 26% by 2020, against 1990 levels. It requires the Secretary of State to have regard to the need for UK domestic action on climate change when considering how to meet the 2050 target and each carbon budget. It also makes provision for the amendment of certain aspects of Part 1 of the Act in certain circumstances, and imposes a duty to make regulations about how carbon units are to be used to ensure that the net UK carbon account is within budget.