Meet environmental compliance requirements
- 1 step
UK Act of Parliament
2008
United Kingdom
Climate Change Act 2008
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
42 compliance obligations, 5 practical guides across 2 topics · 3 journeys · 22 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
2 of 42 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 40 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 9
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 32 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
2 guidesMentioned in related content
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Carbon target and budgeting
The target for 2050
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must ensure the UK reaches Net Zero by 2050 Crown / Minister / Government department
Level of carbon budgets
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must set and meet carbon budget levels Crown / Minister / Government department
Setting of carbon budgets for budgetary periods
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must set carbon budgets for specific periods Crown / Minister / Government department
Limit on use of carbon units
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must limit carbon units used to meet climate targets Crown / Minister / Government department
Duty to provide indicative annual ranges for net UK carbon account
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report indicative annual carbon account ranges Crown / Minister / Government department
Duty to report on proposals and policies for meeting carbon budgets
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report on policies for meeting carbon budgets Crown / Minister / Government department
Duty to have regard to need for UK domestic action on climate change
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must prioritise UK-based action to meet carbon targets Crown / Minister / Government department
Annual statement of UK emissions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must publish annual UK greenhouse gas emissions reports Crown / Minister / Government department
Duty to report on proposals and policies for compensating for budget excess
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report on plans to correct carbon budget excess Crown / Minister / Government department
Final statement for 2050
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report on 2050 net zero target achievement Crown / Minister / Government department
Procedure for regulations under section 30
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must follow specific procedures when making aviation/shipping regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 20 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Amendment of 2050 target or baseline year
Consultation on order amending 2050 target or baseline year
Carbon budgets
Amendment of target percentages
Consultation on order setting or amending target percentages
Consultation on carbon budgets
Matters to be taken into account in connection with carbon budgets
Duty to prepare proposals and policies for meeting carbon budgets
Powers to carry amounts from one budgetary period to another
Final statement for budgetary period
Alteration of carbon budgets
Consultation on alteration of carbon budgets
Alteration of budgetary periods
Targeted greenhouse gases
Base years for targeted greenhouse gases other than CO 2
Carbon units and carbon accounting
Net UK carbon account
Procedure for regulations under section 26 or 27
UK emissions and removals of greenhouse gases
Emissions from international aviation or international shipping
Part 2 — The Committee on Climate Change
Advice on level of 2050 target
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must advise government on 2050 carbon targets Statutory regulator
Advice in connection with carbon budgets
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must advise government on carbon budgets Statutory regulator
Advice on emissions from international aviation and international shipping
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must advise on international transport emissions Statutory regulator
Duty to provide advice or other assistance on request
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must provide advice and assistance upon request Statutory regulator
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Committee on Climate Change
Reports on progress
Response to Committee's reports on progress
General ancillary powers
Grants to the Committee
Powers to give guidance
Powers to give directions
Interpretation of Part 2
Part 3 — Trading schemes
Procedure for making regulations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National authority must consult and seek advice before making regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Powers to give directions
- Trading scheme administrators must comply with government directions Director or Officer
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Trading schemes
Activities to which trading schemes may apply
Matters that may or must be provided for in regulations
Relevant national authorities
Further provisions about regulations
Information
Powers to give guidance
Grants to administrators and participants
Power to make consequential provision
Interpretation of Part 3
Part 4 — Impact of and adaptation to climate change
Advice of Committee on Climate Change on impact report
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must advise government on climate impact reports Statutory regulator
Programme for adaptation to climate change
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must publish climate change adaptation programmes Crown / Minister / Government department
Programme for adaptation to climate change: Northern Ireland
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Northern Ireland departments must publish climate adaptation programmes Crown / Minister / Government department
Compliance with Secretary of State's directions
- Reporting authorities must comply with climate change reporting directions Any Person
Consent of, or consultation with, devolved authorities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult or obtain consent from devolved authorities Crown / Minister / Government department
Compliance with Welsh Ministers' directions
- Reporting authorities must comply with Welsh Ministers' climate directions Any Person
Consent of, or consultation with, Secretary of State
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must consult or obtain consent from the Secretary of State Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Report on impact of climate change
Reporting on progress in connection with adaptation
Guidance by Secretary of State to reporting authorities
Directions by Secretary of State to prepare reports
Report on exercise of power to give directions
Guidance by Welsh Ministers to reporting authorities
Directions by Welsh Ministers to prepare reports
Interpretation
Part 5 — Other provisions
Report on contribution of reporting to climate change objectives
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must review and report on greenhouse gas reporting Crown / Minister / Government department
Regulations about reporting by companies
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must regulate company greenhouse gas reporting Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 16 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Waste reduction schemes
Waste reduction provisions: piloting
Waste reduction provisions: report and review
Waste reduction provisions: interim report
Waste reduction provisions: roll-out or repeal
Collection of household waste
Charges for single use carrier bags carrier bags
Renewable transport fuel obligations
Carbon emissions reduction targets
Report on climate change: Wales
Climate change measures reports in Wales
Repeal of previous reporting obligation
Guidance on reporting
Report on the civil estate
Power of Ministers and departments to offset greenhouse gas emissions
Fines for offences relating to pollution
Part 6 — General supplementary provisions
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Territorial scope of provisions relating to greenhouse gas emissions
Orders and regulations
Affirmative and negative resolution procedure
Meaning of “greenhouse gas”
Measurement of emissions etc by reference to carbon dioxide equivalent
Meaning of “international carbon reporting practice”
Meaning of “national authority”
Meaning of “relevant Northern Ireland department”
Minor definitions
Index of defined expressions
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Schedules
Trading schemes: powers to require information
Unlimited fine- Fail to provide information for environmental trading schemes Any Person
(1) The Committee must appoint a person to be chief...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must appoint a national-authority-approved chief executive Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The Committee must keep proper accounts and proper records...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Committee on Climate Change must keep proper accounts and send annual statements to national authorities Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The Committee must provide the national authorities with such...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Climate Change Committee must provide information and allow document inspection on request Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The regulations must provide for the issue of certificates...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must set up certificate rules for trading scheme participants Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The regulations may provide that a participant who does...
- Pay penalty for insufficient emissions certificates at end of trading period Any Person
(1) The regulations must provide for the participants in a...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulations must allow trading scheme participants to trade certificates Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The regulations may require such information as may be...
- Provide information required under the trading scheme regulations Any Person
(1) The regulations may— (a) require the payment by participants...
- Pay charges for operating the emissions trading scheme Any Person
(1) The regulations may confer powers on a person to...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement authorities must have reasonable grounds before using trading scheme enforcement powers Statutory regulator
(1) The regulations may provide that a person is liable...
- You may face penalties for non-compliance with trading scheme rules Any Person
(1) The regulations may provide that a participant who does...
- Pay a penalty if you don't have enough allowances or credits Any Person
(1) The regulations must provide for the participants in a...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Include trading provisions in emissions trading scheme regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) Where the instrument contains regulations that—
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must secure parliamentary approval for affirmative regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) A notice under this Schedule must comply with the...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environmental authority must follow notice requirements before demanding information Statutory regulator
(1) A person who— (a) fails without reasonable excuse to...
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with environmental information notice Any Person
Browse 128 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Trading schemes regulations: further provisions
Waste reduction schemes
The Committee on Climate Change
(1) The Committee shall consist of— (a) a person appointed...
If the national authorities consider there are special circumstances which...
The Committee may appoint other employees.
The Committee must, if required to do so by the...
(1) In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (c....
(1) The Committee may establish sub-committees. (2) A sub-committee may...
(1) There shall be a sub-committee of the Committee, to...
The Committee may regulate— (a) its own procedure (including quorum),...
The validity of anything done by the Committee or any...
The Committee must publish the minutes of its meetings in...
The national authorities may, after consulting the chair, appoint one...
The Committee may authorise a sub-committee, member or employee to...
(1) The application of the Committee's seal must be authenticated...
(1) For each financial year the Committee must—
In this Schedule “financial year” means— (a) the period beginning...
A requirement under this Act for the Committee to publish...
(1) The Committee is not to be regarded as the...
In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition...
In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...
A member holds and vacates office in accordance with the...
In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of...
In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...
In Part 2 of Schedule 1A to the Race Relations...
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
(1) The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 is amended...
In Schedule 3 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act...
A member may resign by giving written notice to the...
The national authorities may remove a member—
A person ceases to be the chair or the deputy...
A person who— (a) ceases to be a member, or...
The Committee may pay to the members such remuneration and...
The Committee must, if required to do so by the...
Trading schemes
This Part of this Schedule deals with trading schemes that...
(1) The regulations may provide that participants may only carry...
(1) The regulations may make provision for recognising any of...
This Part of this Schedule deals with trading schemes that...
The regulations must specify the period or periods by reference...
(1) The regulations must identify the activities to which the...
(1) The regulations must identify the persons to whom the...
The regulations must, for each trading period—
The regulations must specify the period or periods by reference...
(1) The regulations may make provision for recognising any of...
(1) The regulations may appoint a person as the administrator...
(1) The regulations may provide for the creation and maintenance...
The regulations may confer or impose functions on the administrator...
The regulations may confer powers on the administrator of a...
(1) The regulations may make provision for monitoring compliance with...
(1) The regulations must identify the activities to which the...
(1) The regulations may create offences relating to trading schemes....
(1) The regulations may confer rights of appeal against—
(1) The regulations must identify the persons to whom the...
(1) The regulations may provide for the allocation among the...
(1) The regulations may require each participant to have or...
(1) The regulations may enable participants to offset the carrying...
This Part of this Schedule applies in relation to an...
No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in...
(1) This paragraph applies to an Order in Council under...
(1) This paragraph applies to an Order in Council under...
(1) If in accordance with paragraph 12—
(1) An instrument containing regulations made by the Secretary of...
Any provision that may be made by regulations subject to...
This Part of this Schedule applies in relation to an...
If any of the regulations are subject to affirmative resolution...
Paragraphs 2 and 3 (affirmative and negative resolution procedure) apply...
(1) If in accordance with paragraph 3 (negative resolution procedure)—...
(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision...
(1) The powers conferred by this Schedule are exercisable by...
(1) An environmental authority may, for the purposes of enabling...
(1) An environmental authority may, for the purposes of enabling...
(1) This paragraph applies to information obtained by an environmental...
After section 60 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c....
After Schedule 2A to that Act insert— SCHEDULE 2AA Waste...
(1) Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c....
(1) Section 161 of that Act (regulations, orders and directions)...
Charges for single use carrier bags carrier bags
The relevant national authority may make provision by regulations about...
(1) The regulations may make provision conferring on an administrator...
(1) Provision under paragraph 10 must secure that—
(1) The regulations may make provision conferring on an administrator...
(1) Provision under paragraph 12 must secure that—
(1) Provision under paragraph 12 may include provision for a...
(1) Provision may not be made under paragraphs 10 and...
(1) If the regulations confer power on an administrator to...
(1) Provision under paragraph 12 may include provision for an...
(1) The regulations may not provide for the making of...
(1) The regulations may make provision enabling an administrator to...
The regulations may make provision requiring sellers of goods to...
The regulations may make provision about the persons liable to...
(1) Where power is conferred on an administrator by the...
(1) Where power is conferred on an administrator by the...
A relevant national authority may not make any provision conferring...
(1) A relevant national authority must in accordance with this...
(1) Where provision has been made by a relevant national...
(1) Where pursuant to any provision made under this Schedule...
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to an instrument containing...
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to an instrument containing...
If a draft of an instrument containing regulations under this...
The regulations may make provision for treating carrier bags as...
(1) “Seller”, in relation to goods, has the meaning given...
The regulations may specify the minimum amount that a seller...
Destination of proceeds – Wales
(1) This paragraph applies to regulations made by the Department...
Interpretation of paragraph 4A
(1) “Single use carrier bagCarrier bag” has the meaning given...
(1) The regulations may appoint a person (an “administrator”) to...
(1) This paragraph applies to regulations made by—
(1) The regulations may require records to be kept relating...
(1) The regulations may confer or impose powers or duties...
(1) The relevant national authority may make provision by regulations...
Renewable transport fuel obligations
Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the Energy Act 2004...
For section 125 (the Administrator) substitute— Appointment of the Administrator...
In section 126 (determination of amounts of transport fuel), after...
In section 128 (discharge of obligation by payment), for subsections...
In section 129 (imposition of civil penalties), for subsection (7)...
After section 131 insert— Disclosure of information held by Revenue...
(1) Section 132(1) (interpretation of Chapter 5 of Part 2)...
Carbon emissions reduction targets
(1) Section 33BC of the Gas Act 1986 (promotion of...
In section 6(9) of the Electricity Act 1989 (definition of...
(1) Section 41A of that Act (promotion of reductions in...
(1) Section 42AA of that Act (publication of statistical information...
In section 64(1) of that Act (interpretation etc of Part...
(1) Section 103 of the Utilities Act 2000 (overall carbon...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Climate change - Ofwat (opens in a new tab) from Ofwat Detailed Guidance
- Climate adaptation report (opens in a new tab) from TPR Detailed Guidance
- HSE and USE guidance (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) from DESNZ Detailed Guidance
- NIEA UK ETS information (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- NRW emissions trading schemes (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- SEPA UK ETS guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- ESOS group rules (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) from DESNZ Detailed Guidance
- view-emissions-trading-registry.service.gov.uk (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Uk emissions trading scheme for aviation how to comply (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Detailed Guidance
- Uk emissions trading scheme uk ets a policy overview (opens in a new tab) from DESNZ Publication
- ... and 2 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
North Sea Transition Authority
Licenses and regulates the UK oil and gas, offshore hydrogen, and carbon storage industries. Issues petroleum production licences and CO2 storage licences. …
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product safety regulator responsible for ensuring consumer products are safe. Enforces product safety regulations, UKCA marking requirements, and works with market surveillance …
Office for Environmental Protection
Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …
Connected legislation
22 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (22)
- Energy Information Regulations 2011 2011
- The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010 2010
- The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 2009
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) and National Emissions Inventory Regulations 2014 2014
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Fees) and National Emissions Inventory Regulations 2011 2011
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2022 2022
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 2023
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 2024
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025 2025
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2021 2021
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2022 2022
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2023 2023
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2024 2024
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025 2025
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 2020
+ 7 more statutory instruments
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Browse legislation
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.