30.
Strengthening the institutional framework; Enhancing the UK's ability to adapt to the impact of climate change; and
Establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK Parliament and to the devolved legislatures.
The Climate Change Act was more ambitious than previous commitments. It requires the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. The 2050 target was raised to 80% from 60% following recommendations set out by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). The CCC is an independent body established through the Climate Change Act 2008, which advises the Government on emissions targets, and reports to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
31.
The CCC has prepared a series of four five-yearly carbon budgets for the UK, covering the period 2008 to 2027. These carbon budgets represent a progressively tightening 'carbon cap' on the total quantity of greenhouse gas emissions to be emitted over that five-year period. Each of the four proposed carbon budgets has been accepted by Government, with the fourth budget (running from 2023 to 2027) requiring the UK to reduce its emissions by around 50% relative to 1990 levels. The emissions reduction trajectories set out within the fourth carbon budget place great emphasis on strong and early de-carbonisation of the UK's electricity supply.
3.3.2 Renewable Energy 32.
Both the 2003 and the 2007 Energy White Papers outlined above included revised renewables targets to those set under the Climate Change Programme. These resulted in an increase in the target set for renewables sources of energy to 15% by 2015, with an aspiration of 20% of renewable energy supply by 2020.
3.3.2.1 The Energy Act 2004 33.
The Energy Act 2004 implemented the 2003 Energy White Paper and enabled The Crown Estate to award the licences for windfarm sites in the Renewable Energy Zone. The Offshore Production of Energy part of the 2004 Act put in place the legal framework for offshore renewable energy projects (wind, wave and tidal) beyond the UK's territorial waters.
34. 35.
The Energy Act 2008 implemented the legislative aspects of the 2007 Energy White Paper and updated the Energy Act 2004.
Themost recent Energy Act received Royal Assent in 2013 and a key part of this Act is the Government’s ElectricityMarket Reform (EMR) programme. The EMR is
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 3 Policy and Legislative Context Page 7
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