The government has announced its intention to include emissions from the UK's aviation and shipping industries in its CO2 emission reduction targets.
Having been previously unwilling, on the basis that it was difficult to attribute responsibility for such emissions between countires, Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary, last night announced his plans to amend the Climate Change Bill, which will pass into law next month.
A spokesperson for the newly created Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said: "The Government is determined that international aviation and shipping should be part of a comprehensive approach for tackling climate change." Environment minister, Joan Ruddock, said that the inclusion of shipping and aviation was vital to the cause, and that "In setting or advising on budgets due regard should be given to emissions from international aviation and shipping".
Lord Turner, chair of the climate change committee which recommended upping the overall reduction in CO2 emissions from 60% to 80%, has been credited; the DECC spokesperson stated: "We want to reflect Adair Turner's advice to government: that [these industries] should be taken into account when developing our strategy to reach our targets."
The reality however is that the government has been coming under increasing pressure from environmental lobby groups, as well as the general public, who have played a large part in instigating the support of MPs. That aviation and shipping (which currently account for 7.5% of all emissions) were not included, had been seen as a gaping hole in an otherwise robust climate change policy.
Last Thursday an amendment to the bill, which was tabled by Glasgow South MP Nigel Griffiths, gained support from over 50 Labour backbenchers, including former environment minister Elliot Morley. Last night the redraft of the bill won favour in the Commons by 463 votes to three - a majority of 460.
Mr Griffiths said: "Addressing issues of aviation and marine shipping emissions is now the acid test of the government's aim to achieve a genuine reduction in CO2 emissions... Politicians from all parties have been inundated with letters and emails from constituents who want a strong climate change law that covers all the UK's emissions." Morley said that the industries' inclusion in the bill was "absolutely imperative" and would give a "clear signal" the UK was serious in moving to a low-carbon economy.
The government has not been able to calculate exactly which emissions from international flights and shipping lanes will be attributable to Britain, but even if international agreement cannot be reached, the development will push the government into explaining how they intend to curb these sources. Green groups have pledged to hold ministers to the targets.
Friends of the Earth's Andy Atkins, was delighted with the decision. He said: "The final piece of the jigsaw is in place. The world's first climate change law will also be a world-class climate change law... [it] is a victory in the fight against climate change and a victory for the hundreds of thousands of people who have campaigned to make this happen. People from right around the UK demanded a strong law. The government have listened."
The Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, also welcomed the development, saying the Department for Transport "will respond to the challenge". It will be against this backdrop however, that Mr Hoon will decide later this year whether there should be a third runway built at Heathrow.
Greenpeace Executive Director, John Sauven, said: "It is simply inconceivable that Labour's expansionist aviation policy can withstand the demands that the Climate Act will now make... One wonders how Geoff Hoon will be able to announce hundreds of thousands of new flights when the subsequent emissions will now count towards the nation's shrinking carbon budget."
