Climate law in the United Kingdom

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    There is no single legislative source for the United Kingdom’s legal response to climate change. Initial measures to tax large energy users, enable participation in the EU ETS and encourage renewable electricity generation have subsequently been joined by the Climate Change Acts operating at UK and Scottish levels. These Acts set demanding targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and break new and uncertain legal ground in making these legally binding on Ministers. The targets are supported by detailed reporting mechanisms, to Parliament and the public, that are intended to be the main route to enforcement and by provisions enabling many detailed changes to the law to allow progress towards the targets. The separate legislation in Scotland highlights the difficulties that dealing with pervasive issues, especially those with an EU and international dimension, pose for by sub-national governments with distinct political ambitions but limited jurisdiction.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationClimate change and the law
    EditorsErkki J. Hollo, Kati Kulovesi, Michael Mehling
    Place of PublicationDordrecht
    PublisherSpringer
    Pages537-549
    Number of pages13
    ISBN (Electronic)9789400754409
    ISBN (Print)9789400754393
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Publication series

    NameIus Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice
    PublisherSpringer
    Volume21
    ISSN (Print)1534-6781

    Keywords

    • "Climate Change" Law

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