UK Act of Parliament 2008 United Kingdom

Climate Change Act 2008

An Act to set a target for the year 2050 for the reduction of targeted greenhouse gas emissions; to provide for a system of carbon budgeting; to establish a Committee on Climate Change; to confer powers to establish trading schemes for the purpose of limiting greenhouse gas emissions or encouraging …

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforced by
Environment Agency, NSTA, OPSS, OEP
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Prosecution 2 of 44 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 42 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person9 Director or Officer1

Plus 34 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 126 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Carbon target and budgeting

12 of 31 sections shown
s.001 The target for 2050 (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must ensure the UK reaches Net Zero by 2050Crown / Minister / Government department
s.004 Carbon budgets (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must set carbon budgets and keep emissions within themCrown / Minister / Government department
s.005 Level of carbon budgets (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must set and meet carbon budget levelsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.008 Setting of carbon budgets for budgetary periods (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must set carbon budgets for specific periodsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.011 Limit on use of carbon units (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must limit carbon units used to meet climate targetsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.012 Duty to provide indicative annual ranges for net UK carbon account (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must report indicative annual carbon account rangesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.014 Duty to report on proposals and policies for meeting carbon budgets (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must report on policies for meeting carbon budgetsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.015 Duty to have regard to need for UK domestic action on climate change (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must prioritise UK-based action to meet carbon targetsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.016 Annual statement of UK emissions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must publish annual UK greenhouse gas emissions reportsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.019 Duty to report on proposals and policies for compensating for budget excess (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must report on plans to correct carbon budget excessCrown / Minister / Government department
s.020 Final statement for 2050 (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must report on 2050 net zero target achievementCrown / Minister / Government department
s.031 Procedure for regulations under section 30 (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must follow specific procedures when making aviation/shipping regulationsCrown / Minister / Government department
19 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.002 Amendment of 2050 target or baseline year (opens in a new tab)
s.003 Consultation on order amending 2050 target or baseline year (opens in a new tab)
s.006 Amendment of target percentages (opens in a new tab)
s.007 Consultation on order setting or amending target percentages (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Consultation on carbon budgets (opens in a new tab)
s.010 Matters to be taken into account in connection with carbon budgets (opens in a new tab)
s.013 Duty to prepare proposals and policies for meeting carbon budgets (opens in a new tab)
s.017 Powers to carry amounts from one budgetary period to another (opens in a new tab)
s.018 Final statement for budgetary period (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Alteration of carbon budgets (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Consultation on alteration of carbon budgets (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Alteration of budgetary periods (opens in a new tab)
s.024 Targeted greenhouse gases (opens in a new tab)
s.025 Base years for targeted greenhouse gases other than CO 2 (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Carbon units and carbon accounting (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Net UK carbon account (opens in a new tab)
s.028 Procedure for regulations under section 26 or 27 (opens in a new tab)
s.029 UK emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (opens in a new tab)
s.030 Emissions from international aviation or international shipping (opens in a new tab)
Part 2

The Committee on Climate Change

4 of 12 sections shown
s.033 Advice on level of 2050 target (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must advise government on 2050 carbon targetsStatutory regulator
s.034 Advice in connection with carbon budgets (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must advise government on carbon budgetsStatutory regulator
s.035 Advice on emissions from international aviation and international shipping (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must advise on international transport emissionsStatutory regulator
s.038 Duty to provide advice or other assistance on request (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must provide advice and assistance upon requestStatutory regulator
8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.032 The Committee on Climate Change (opens in a new tab)
s.036 Reports on progress (opens in a new tab)
s.037 Response to Committee's reports on progress (opens in a new tab)
s.039 General ancillary powers (opens in a new tab)
s.040 Grants to the Committee (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Powers to give guidance (opens in a new tab)
s.042 Powers to give directions (opens in a new tab)
s.043 Interpretation of Part 2 (opens in a new tab)
Part 3

Trading schemes

2 of 12 sections shown
s.048 Procedure for making regulations (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • National authority must consult and seek advice before making regulationsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.052 Powers to give directions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Trading scheme administrators must comply with government directionsDirector or Officer
10 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.044 Trading schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.045 Activities to which trading schemes may apply (opens in a new tab)
s.046 Matters that may or must be provided for in regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.047 Relevant national authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.049 Further provisions about regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.050 Information (opens in a new tab)
s.051 Powers to give guidance (opens in a new tab)
s.053 Grants to administrators and participants (opens in a new tab)
s.054 Power to make consequential provision (opens in a new tab)
s.055 Interpretation of Part 3 (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

Impact of and adaptation to climate change

7 of 15 sections shown
s.057 Advice of Committee on Climate Change on impact report (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must advise government on climate impact reportsStatutory regulator
s.058 Programme for adaptation to climate change (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must publish climate change adaptation programmesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.060 Programme for adaptation to climate change: Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Northern Ireland departments must publish climate adaptation programmesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.063 Compliance with Secretary of State's directions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Reporting authorities must comply with climate change reporting directionsAny Person
s.064 Consent of, or consultation with, devolved authorities (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must consult or obtain consent from devolved authoritiesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.068 Compliance with Welsh Ministers' directions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Reporting authorities must comply with Welsh Ministers' climate directionsAny Person
s.069 Consent of, or consultation with, Secretary of State (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Welsh Ministers must consult or obtain consent from the Secretary of StateCrown / Minister / Government department
8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.056 Report on impact of climate change (opens in a new tab)
s.059 Reporting on progress in connection with adaptation (opens in a new tab)
s.061 Guidance by Secretary of State to reporting authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.062 Directions by Secretary of State to prepare reports (opens in a new tab)
s.065 Report on exercise of power to give directions (opens in a new tab)
s.066 Guidance by Welsh Ministers to reporting authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.067 Directions by Welsh Ministers to prepare reports (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Interpretation (opens in a new tab)
Part 5

Other provisions

2 of 18 sections shown
s.084 Report on contribution of reporting to climate change objectives (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must review and report on greenhouse gas reportingCrown / Minister / Government department
s.085 Regulations about reporting by companies (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must regulate company greenhouse gas reportingCrown / Minister / Government department
16 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.071 Waste reduction schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.072 Waste reduction provisions: piloting (opens in a new tab)
s.073 Waste reduction provisions: report and review (opens in a new tab)
s.074 Waste reduction provisions: interim report (opens in a new tab)
s.075 Waste reduction provisions: roll-out or repeal (opens in a new tab)
s.076 Collection of household waste (opens in a new tab)
s.077 Charges for single use carrier bags carrier bags (opens in a new tab)
s.078 Renewable transport fuel obligations (opens in a new tab)
s.079 Carbon emissions reduction targets (opens in a new tab)
s.080 Report on climate change: Wales (opens in a new tab)
s.081 Climate change measures reports in Wales (opens in a new tab)
s.082 Repeal of previous reporting obligation (opens in a new tab)
s.083 Guidance on reporting (opens in a new tab)
s.086 Report on the civil estate (opens in a new tab)
s.087 Power of Ministers and departments to offset greenhouse gas emissions (opens in a new tab)
s.088 Fines for offences relating to pollution (opens in a new tab)
Part 6

General supplementary provisions

0 of 13 sections shown
13 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.089 Territorial scope of provisions relating to greenhouse gas emissions (opens in a new tab)
s.090 Orders and regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.091 Affirmative and negative resolution procedure (opens in a new tab)
s.092 Meaning of “greenhouse gas” (opens in a new tab)
s.093 Measurement of emissions etc by reference to carbon dioxide equivalent (opens in a new tab)
s.094 Meaning of “international carbon reporting practice” (opens in a new tab)
s.095 Meaning of “national authority” (opens in a new tab)
s.096 Meaning of “relevant Northern Ireland department” (opens in a new tab)
s.097 Minor definitions (opens in a new tab)
s.098 Index of defined expressions (opens in a new tab)
s.099 Extent (opens in a new tab)
s.100 Commencement (opens in a new tab)
s.101 Short title (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

17 of 144 shown
s.004 Trading schemes: powers to require information (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to provide information for environmental trading schemesAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch001 (1) The Committee must appoint a person to be chief... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must appoint a national-authority-approved chief executiveCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) The Committee must keep proper accounts and proper records... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Committee on Climate Change must keep proper accounts and send annual statements to national authoritiesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) The Committee must provide the national authorities with such... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Climate Change Committee must provide information and allow document inspection on requestCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must provide for the issue of certificates... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must set up certificate rules for trading scheme participantsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may provide that a participant who does... Regulated
  • Pay penalty for insufficient emissions certificates at end of trading periodAny Person
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must provide for the participants in a... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulations must allow trading scheme participants to trade certificatesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may require such information as may be... Regulated
  • Provide information required under the trading scheme regulationsAny Person
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may— (a) require the payment by participants... Regulated
  • Pay charges for operating the emissions trading schemeAny Person
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may confer powers on a person to... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Enforcement authorities must have reasonable grounds before using trading scheme enforcement powersStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may provide that a person is liable... Regulated
  • You may face penalties for non-compliance with trading scheme rulesAny Person
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may provide that a participant who does... Regulated
  • Pay a penalty if you don't have enough allowances or creditsAny Person
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must provide for the participants in a... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Include trading provisions in emissions trading scheme regulationsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003 (1) Where the instrument contains regulations that— Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must secure parliamentary approval for affirmative regulationsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004 (1) A notice under this Schedule must comply with the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Environmental authority must follow notice requirements before demanding informationStatutory regulator
s.sch004 (1) A person who— (a) fails without reasonable excuse to... Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with environmental information noticeAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch006 A relevant national authority may not make any provision conferring... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • National authority must ensure fair regulation principles before granting sanction powersCrown / Minister / Government department
127 other schedules
s.003 Trading schemes regulations: further provisions (opens in a new tab)
s.005 Waste reduction schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 The Committee on Climate Change (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 (1) The Committee shall consist of— (a) a person appointed...
s.sch001 If the national authorities consider there are special circumstances which...
s.sch001 The Committee may appoint other employees.
s.sch001 The Committee must, if required to do so by the...
s.sch001 (1) In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (c....
s.sch001 (1) The Committee may establish sub-committees. (2) A sub-committee may...
s.sch001 (1) There shall be a sub-committee of the Committee, to...
s.sch001 The Committee may regulate— (a) its own procedure (including quorum),...
s.sch001 The validity of anything done by the Committee or any...
s.sch001 The Committee must publish the minutes of its meetings in...
s.sch001 The national authorities may, after consulting the chair, appoint one...
s.sch001 The Committee may authorise a sub-committee, member or employee to...
s.sch001 (1) The application of the Committee's seal must be authenticated...
s.sch001 (1) For each financial year the Committee must—
s.sch001 In this Schedule “financial year” means— (a) the period beginning...
s.sch001 A requirement under this Act for the Committee to publish...
s.sch001 (1) The Committee is not to be regarded as the...
s.sch001 In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition...
s.sch001 In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...
s.sch001 A member holds and vacates office in accordance with the...
s.sch001 In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of...
s.sch001 In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...
s.sch001 In Part 2 of Schedule 1A to the Race Relations...
s.sch001 In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
s.sch001 (1) The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 is amended...
s.sch001 In Schedule 3 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act...
s.sch001 A member may resign by giving written notice to the...
s.sch001 The national authorities may remove a member—
s.sch001 A person ceases to be the chair or the deputy...
s.sch001 A person who— (a) ceases to be a member, or...
s.sch001 The Committee may pay to the members such remuneration and...
s.sch001 The Committee must, if required to do so by the...
s.sch002 Trading schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.sch002 This Part of this Schedule deals with trading schemes that...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may provide that participants may only carry...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may make provision for recognising any of...
s.sch002 This Part of this Schedule deals with trading schemes that...
s.sch002 The regulations must specify the period or periods by reference...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must identify the activities to which the...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must identify the persons to whom the...
s.sch002 The regulations must, for each trading period—
s.sch002 The regulations must specify the period or periods by reference...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may make provision for recognising any of...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may appoint a person as the administrator...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may provide for the creation and maintenance...
s.sch002 The regulations may confer or impose functions on the administrator...
s.sch002 The regulations may confer powers on the administrator of a...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may make provision for monitoring compliance with...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must identify the activities to which the...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may create offences relating to trading schemes....
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may confer rights of appeal against—
s.sch002 (1) The regulations must identify the persons to whom the...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may provide for the allocation among the...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may require each participant to have or...
s.sch002 (1) The regulations may enable participants to offset the carrying...
s.sch003 This Part of this Schedule applies in relation to an...
s.sch003 No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in...
s.sch003 (1) This paragraph applies to an Order in Council under...
s.sch003 (1) This paragraph applies to an Order in Council under...
s.sch003 (1) If in accordance with paragraph 12—
s.sch003 (1) An instrument containing regulations made by the Secretary of...
s.sch003 Any provision that may be made by regulations subject to...
s.sch003 This Part of this Schedule applies in relation to an...
s.sch003 If any of the regulations are subject to affirmative resolution...
s.sch003 Paragraphs 2 and 3 (affirmative and negative resolution procedure) apply...
s.sch003 (1) If in accordance with paragraph 3 (negative resolution procedure)—...
s.sch003 (1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision...
s.sch004 (1) The powers conferred by this Schedule are exercisable by...
s.sch004 (1) An environmental authority may, for the purposes of enabling...
s.sch004 (1) An environmental authority may, for the purposes of enabling...
s.sch004 (1) This paragraph applies to information obtained by an environmental...
s.sch005 After section 60 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c....
s.sch005 After Schedule 2A to that Act insert— SCHEDULE 2AA Waste...
s.sch005 (1) Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c....
s.sch005 (1) Section 161 of that Act (regulations, orders and directions)...
s.sch006 Charges for single use carrier bags carrier bags (opens in a new tab)
s.sch006 The relevant national authority may make provision by regulations about...
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may make provision conferring on an administrator...
s.sch006 (1) Provision under paragraph 10 must secure that—
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may make provision conferring on an administrator...
s.sch006 (1) Provision under paragraph 12 must secure that—
s.sch006 (1) Provision under paragraph 12 may include provision for a...
s.sch006 (1) Provision may not be made under paragraphs 10 and...
s.sch006 (1) If the regulations confer power on an administrator to...
s.sch006 (1) Provision under paragraph 12 may include provision for an...
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may not provide for the making of...
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may make provision enabling an administrator to...
s.sch006 The regulations may make provision requiring sellers of goods to...
s.sch006 The regulations may make provision about the persons liable to...
s.sch006 (1) Where power is conferred on an administrator by the...
s.sch006 (1) Where power is conferred on an administrator by the...
s.sch006 (1) A relevant national authority must in accordance with this...
s.sch006 (1) Where provision has been made by a relevant national...
s.sch006 (1) Where pursuant to any provision made under this Schedule...
s.sch006 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to an instrument containing...
s.sch006 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to an instrument containing...
s.sch006 If a draft of an instrument containing regulations under this...
s.sch006 The regulations may make provision for treating carrier bags as...
s.sch006 (1) “Seller”, in relation to goods, has the meaning given...
s.sch006 The regulations may specify the minimum amount that a seller...
s.sch006 Destination of proceeds – Wales
s.sch006 (1) This paragraph applies to regulations made by the Department...
s.sch006 Interpretation of paragraph 4A
s.sch006 (1) “Single use carrier bagCarrier bag” has the meaning given...
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may appoint a person (an “administrator”) to...
s.sch006 (1) This paragraph applies to regulations made by—
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may require records to be kept relating...
s.sch006 (1) The regulations may confer or impose powers or duties...
s.sch006 (1) The relevant national authority may make provision by regulations...
s.sch007 Renewable transport fuel obligations (opens in a new tab)
s.sch007 Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the Energy Act 2004...
s.sch007 For section 125 (the Administrator) substitute— Appointment of the Administrator...
s.sch007 In section 126 (determination of amounts of transport fuel), after...
s.sch007 In section 128 (discharge of obligation by payment), for subsections...
s.sch007 In section 129 (imposition of civil penalties), for subsection (7)...
s.sch007 After section 131 insert— Disclosure of information held by Revenue...
s.sch007 (1) Section 132(1) (interpretation of Chapter 5 of Part 2)...
s.sch008 Carbon emissions reduction targets (opens in a new tab)
s.sch008 (1) Section 33BC of the Gas Act 1986 (promotion of...
s.sch008 In section 6(9) of the Electricity Act 1989 (definition of...
s.sch008 (1) Section 41A of that Act (promotion of reductions in...
s.sch008 (1) Section 42AA of that Act (publication of statistical information...
s.sch008 In section 64(1) of that Act (interpretation etc of Part...
s.sch008 (1) Section 103 of the Utilities Act 2000 (overall carbon...

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Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.