Overview

The Climate Change (Sectoral Targets) Bill aims to set legally binding targets for reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy in the UK across various sectors. It mandates the creation of a national strategy to achieve these targets and provides a framework for regular reviews and updates.

Description

This bill sets targets for several sectors to reduce energy consumption and increase renewable energy use. Key targets include:

• Residential Energy Efficiency: A 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2020 (compared to 2010).
• Commercial & Public Sector Energy Use: A 10% reduction by 2010 and a further 10% reduction by 2020 (both compared to 2005 and 2010 baselines respectively).
• Renewable Electricity Generation: 10% by 2010 and 20% by 2020.
• Combined Heat & Power (CHP): Installation of 10 gigawatts of CHP capacity by 2010.
• Microgeneration Installations: An eightfold increase in dwellings with microgeneration by 2012 (compared to 2007).
• Dwelling Energy Ratings (SAP): 80% of dwellings to achieve an SAP rating of 80 or above by 2016.
• Zero-Carbon New Dwellings: All new dwellings built from 2016 onwards must be zero-carbon.

The Secretary of State is responsible for achieving these targets and must create a strategy outlining how they will be met, including necessary policies and measures. This strategy will be reviewed and updated every two years. The Secretary of State can amend targets with parliamentary approval upon advice from relevant bodies. Baseline figures will be determined by the Secretary of State via order.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in implementing the Act, and any increases in sums payable under other Acts attributable to this Act, will be paid from public funds. Specific figures are not provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect numerous groups:

• Households: Incentivized to improve energy efficiency, particularly vulnerable households (elderly, families with children, disabled).
• Businesses: Those in energy efficiency, renewables, combined heat and power, carbon capture and storage, and microgeneration sectors will be affected by the targets and potentially benefit from related government initiatives.
• Public Sector: Will face targets for energy reduction in buildings and services.
• Energy Companies: Will need to adapt to meet the increased renewable energy targets.
• Developers: Must meet the zero-carbon standards for new dwellings from 2016 onwards.

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