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Celebrating climate bill success

Almost 300 members of religious orders with placards and banners called on Parliament to "Stop Climate Chaos", and met with their own MPs to urge changes in the Climate Change Bill [CAFOD]

Almost 300 members of religious orders called on Parliament to "Stop Climate Chaos", and met with MPs to urge changes in the Climate Change Bill [CAFOD]

Months of campaigning on the UK Climate Change Bill have paid off as Parliament passes it with all three key changes put forward by CAFOD included

The measures passed relatively smoothly after the Government announced it would support a backbench amendment for a legal duty to consider the UK's share of emissions from international aviation and shipping when targets are set for cutting emissions.

This change was the final ask of three demands from campaigners to ensure the UK's Climate Change Bill would be able to show strong international leadership.

The new Climate Change Act became part of UK law on November 26 when it received royal assent.

Campaigner pressure

In February, the Government agreed to include annual milestones in the Bill. These yearly targets will make sure emissions reductions are on track.

And earlier this month, Ed Miliband, the new Energy and Climate Change Secretary, announced the Government would follow advice from the independent Committee on Climate Change and aim to cut the UK's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% rather than at least 60% by 2050.

Mr Miliband paid tribute to the efforts of campaigners, saying: "Members of the public wrote to us in record numbers, asking for a Bill that met the scale of the challenge. I believe that we have met that challenge. We owe them a debt of gratitude for making it happen."

Vikki Mills, CAFOD campaigns parliamentary officer, agreed: "That the UK Bill is so groundbreaking is largely thanks to the tens of thousands of campaigners across the UK who have tirelessly called on the Government to take urgent action to stop dangerous climate change.

"People living in poverty will be amongst those most affected by climate change.

"By passing this more ambitious Bill, the UK is showing real international leadership in ensuring that climate change doesn't cause a financial and humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale.

"We are confident that we now have a robust and fair Bill but we will be keeping a close eye on the Government as it tackles the difficult task of implementing the legislation."

CAFOD will be launching a new campaign, calling for a fair international climate change deal, in the lead up to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in 2009.

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(Left to right) Richard Cockle, John Corney, Lizzie Cranfield, and Gavin Baxter celebrate together after finishing the Great North Run 2005 [CAFOD]