Gordon Brown today called for a "worldwide carbon market" as he placed environmental action at the centre of his economic ambitions.
The chancellor, who commissioned Sir Nicholas Stern's report on the economics of climate change, said that the government would table a climate change bill in next month's Queen's speech.
The legislation will formally commit the government to its target of cutting the UK's CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050.
Mr Brown also proposed a new European-wide emissions reduction target of 30% by 2020.
The chancellor said: "Now it is time to move towards a global system - as Stern challenges us to do - so we propose a long-term framework, a worldwide carbon market; not the old way of rigid regulation, but the modern way: working with the market, harnessing its power to set a global price for carbon, incentivising the most efficient and innovative ways of tackling climate change."
Mr Brown argued that climate change had to be tackled internationally or it would not be tackled at all and pledged that Britain would lead the global effort.
"Just as in recent years Britain has led the world in securing a low interest rate, [a] stable economy founded on low inflation, so today I set a new ambition for Britain in future years: to lead the world in creating a stable and sustainable economy founded on low carbon. A Britain that is pro-growth and pro-green," he said.
The chancellor echoed Sir Nicholas's comments that the world need not choose between averting climate change and promoting growth and development, but said that everyone had a roll to play.
"With scientific evidence now clear, as individuals we are increasingly aware of our personal responsibilities.
"While governments can regulate and provide pump-priming investment, all these must be designed also to drive cultural change, a cultural shift in the way we live."
Mr Brown announced that Britain was entering into an international partnership with countries including Brazil, Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica to provide resources for sustainable forestry, to preserve the rainforests that soak up CO2. And he said that the UK was working with China and India on clean coal technology that could allow them to develop economically in a less environmentally damaging way.
Mr Brown also announced a new partnership to bring private businesses into the battle against climate change, with the target of creating a $20bn loan and grant fund.
Action would also be taken to encourage the use of bio-fuels in motor vehicles in the UK and the developing world.
The chancellor has appointed Al Gore, former American vice-president, as an adviser on environmental issues.
Source: The Guardian
The chancellor, who commissioned Sir Nicholas Stern's report on the economics of climate change, said that the government would table a climate change bill in next month's Queen's speech.
The legislation will formally commit the government to its target of cutting the UK's CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050.
Mr Brown also proposed a new European-wide emissions reduction target of 30% by 2020.
The chancellor said: "Now it is time to move towards a global system - as Stern challenges us to do - so we propose a long-term framework, a worldwide carbon market; not the old way of rigid regulation, but the modern way: working with the market, harnessing its power to set a global price for carbon, incentivising the most efficient and innovative ways of tackling climate change."
Mr Brown argued that climate change had to be tackled internationally or it would not be tackled at all and pledged that Britain would lead the global effort.
"Just as in recent years Britain has led the world in securing a low interest rate, [a] stable economy founded on low inflation, so today I set a new ambition for Britain in future years: to lead the world in creating a stable and sustainable economy founded on low carbon. A Britain that is pro-growth and pro-green," he said.
The chancellor echoed Sir Nicholas's comments that the world need not choose between averting climate change and promoting growth and development, but said that everyone had a roll to play.
"With scientific evidence now clear, as individuals we are increasingly aware of our personal responsibilities.
"While governments can regulate and provide pump-priming investment, all these must be designed also to drive cultural change, a cultural shift in the way we live."
Mr Brown announced that Britain was entering into an international partnership with countries including Brazil, Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica to provide resources for sustainable forestry, to preserve the rainforests that soak up CO2. And he said that the UK was working with China and India on clean coal technology that could allow them to develop economically in a less environmentally damaging way.
Mr Brown also announced a new partnership to bring private businesses into the battle against climate change, with the target of creating a $20bn loan and grant fund.
Action would also be taken to encourage the use of bio-fuels in motor vehicles in the UK and the developing world.
The chancellor has appointed Al Gore, former American vice-president, as an adviser on environmental issues.
Source: The Guardian
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