Focus on plastic bags as Climate Change Bill gets third reading

In July, the government added a provision for plastic bags to the bill following pressure from campaign groups. The provisions would give the ‘relevant national authority’ the power to introduce sanctions for charging for bags and civil sanctions to ensure its implementation.

London Councils, the lobbying organisation which promotes the interests of London’s 33 councils, yesterday urged MPs to back its proposed amendments to the bill, which have been tabled on its behalf by Harry Cohen MP and supported by Tom Brake MP.

The amendments would introduce a time limit of one year from Royal Assent, after which time the government must release statistics on how retailers have cut their supply of bags, if these statistics are not satisfactory then it must take action.

The amendments also set down a minimum charge of 25p per bag and provide a definition of bags that captures the vast majority of the bags that end up in landfill.

London Councils chairman Merrick Cockell said: “Today represents Parliament’s last chance to take decisive action against the environmental nuisance caused by single-use shopping bags.

“They must be bold and back our cross-party amendments to the bill, or else we risk the issue falling by the wayside.”

The Climate Change Bill also includes provisions for pilot schemes to charge for waste disposal and whether to increase the UK’s carbon emission reduction target for 2050 to 80%. The current position is for a 26% reduction by 2020 and “at least” 60% by 2050.

The Climate Change Bill was introduced in Parliament on 14 November 2007 and completed its passage through the House of Lords on 31 March.

For more about the bill click here.

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