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Climate Change Bill [HL]

I was grateful for what the Minister said. This is a fearfully complicated, but essential, part of the Bill. My memory goes back to the issue of CFCs, when we had the distinct advantage of an international agreement. When I was in the Department of Environment, British industry bleated at my door regarding the extra cost that it would face. The noble Lord, Lord Puttnam, is absolutely right. We all agree on this principle in this Chamber, but implementing it on the ground, when one has seen the results of Bali and that some countries are not signing up to targets, will be very hard for British industry. Having listened to the debate, I am coming down in favour of the need, as politicians, for us to set a target in the Bill. That was not where I started from, but it must be made clear to British industry that we expect it to deliver, often when others will not deliver initially—I think they will catch up. We are going to ask Britain and British industry to take a lead with all the costs that that involves. As politicians, it is our duty to put something in the Bill, but I would like to back that up, rather like we did in Clause 1, by an ““at least”” and then leave it up to the Committee on Climate Change. As everyone in the Committee has said, this will change. In 10 years’ time we will be talking a totally different language from a different position, but we have to start this ball rolling now. I am grateful for what the Minister said; we should strengthen the Bill and put a figure in and, as my noble friend Lord Crickhowell said, give clear guidance to the committee.