Zero Carbon Bill consultation begins

Yesterday the Government launched its consultation on the design of the Zero Carbon Bill. The discussion document covers key aspects of the Bill, including how ambitious the emissions reduction target should be.

The consultation period will run to 19 July.

The target

Three options are offered, all to be achieved by 2050 and all based on a "net zero" future (i.e. allowing forestry sequestration to offset emissions to reach zero). They are, in order of ascending ambition:

• net zero carbon dioxide
• net zero long-lived gases (CO2 and nitrous oxide) and stabilised short-lived gases (methane), often called the 'Two Baskets' approach, or
• net zero emissions.

A carbon only approach would largely remove agriculture.