Climate Change Bill should be tougher says John Gummer

THE Climate Change Bill was going to be very hard fought because it should be tougher, said former Tory Agriculture Minister John Gummer at the Agricultural Industries Confederation annual conference at the East of England Showground.

He said proposed changes should include annual targets as well as the intended five-year targets and also called for more than half of the committee, which will advise the Government on how to achieve the targets set in the Bill, to be appointed by the Royal Society rather than by Government. There should also be a 'truly independent' chairman.

Food and Farming Minister Lord Rooker said the Bill, which would include carbon budgets for at least 15 years ahead, would give stability for investment. Taking things forward including renewable energy required co-ordinated effort and good leadership, he said.

"Making the Climate Change Bill into the Climate Change Act won't solve the problem – that is the beginning of the process."