Part 2

The Committee on Climate Change

Functions of the Committee

Advice in connection with carbon budgets
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1
It is the duty of the Committee to advise the Secretary of State, in relation to each budgetary period, on—
a
the level of the carbon budget for the period,
b
the extent to which the carbon budget for the period should be met—
i
by reducing the amount of net UK emissions of targeted greenhouse gases, or
ii
by the use of carbon units that in accordance with regulations under sections 26 and 27 may be credited to the net UK carbon account for the period,
c
the respective contributions towards meeting the carbon budget for the period that should be made—
i
by the sectors of the economy covered by trading schemes (taken as a whole);
ii
by the sectors of the economy not so covered (taken as a whole), and
d
the sectors of the economy in which there are particular opportunities for contributions to be made towards meeting the carbon budget for the period through reductions in emissions of targeted greenhouse gases.
2
In relation to the budgetary period 2008-2012, the Committee must also advise the Secretary of State on—
a
whether it would be consistent with its advice on the level of the carbon budget for the period to set a carbon budget such that the annual equivalent for the period was lower than the 1990 baseline by 20%, and
b
the costs and benefits of setting such a budget.
3
Advice given by the Committee under this section must also contain the reasons for that advice.
4
The Committee must give its advice under this section—
a
for the budgetary periods 2008-2012, 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, not later than 1st December 2008;
b
for any later period, not later than six months before the last date for setting the carbon budget for the period (see section 4(2)(b)).
5
The Committee must, at the time it gives its advice under this section to the Secretary of State, send a copy to the other national authorities.
6
As soon as is reasonably practicable after giving its advice under this section the Committee must publish that advice in such manner as it considers appropriate.