This Bill, from former environment minister Michael Meacher, has cross-party support, including the backing of the former Conservative environment minister John Gummer and the current Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, Norman Baker MP.

According to the coalition of NGOs who are behind the Bill, UK emissions are continuing to rise, and are now higher than they were in 1997 when Labour came to power.

The Bill aims to combat climate change by setting legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent every year until 2050.

The Prime Minister would be given a specific responsiblity to report annually to Parliament on the achievement of those targets.

The legislation proposes a series of measures to get emission cuts back on track if they do not meet the three per cent target, including requirements on ministers to introduce new policies; greater powers for Select Committees; and ultimately symbolic pay cuts for the ministers failing to cut emissions.

Speaking at a press conference preceeding the introduction of the Bill, representatives from the NGOs spoke of their reasons for involvement in the campaign.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director, Tony Juniper, said:

"Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity. We have a window of opportunity to prevent catastrophic climate change but that gap is narrowing. It is critical that we set ourselves on a pathway to achieve the necessary carbon dioxide reductions. This bill will set us on a sensible and achievable glide path towards the necessary long-term targets."

Mervyn Kohler of Help the Aged, said:

"Older people are at risk in the extremities of both hot and cold weather. Air pollution is a further health hazard. To manage these risks better, as well as passing on a decent world to future generations, Help the Aged strongly supports this initiative."

Association for the Conservation of Energy's Director Andrew Warren, said:

"The energy efficiency industry needs the reassurance this Bill gives that the Government is serious about its long term co2 reduction targets. We can then ensure the long-term investment necessary to produce new, cutting-edge carbon-saving technologies."

World Development Movement's Head of Campaigns and Communications, Benedict Southworth, said:

"The impact of climate change will hit the worlds poorest harder. Justice for the worlds poor requires developed countries to take responsibility for the problems they have caused. By setting out clear emission reduction target the Climate Bill will ensure that the UK doesn't pass the buck to the world's poorest countries."

Christian Aid's senior policy officer, Andrew Pendleton, said:

"Poor people in the developing world are on the frontline of climate change, where increasingly severe weather is making lives and livelihoods more difficult year on year. And yet they have done little themselves to trigger climate change, which is why rich countries must make firm, legally-binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

ACT's Ron Bailey said:

"Climate change is the greatest threat facing us. Citizens want government to act. The targets in this bill and the mechanisms to hold government and MPs to account are crucial for sustainability and democracy."

People and Planet's Meredith Alexander, said:

"Students have identified climate change as the greatest threat facing our generation. This bill is an important step to tackle that threat."

Transport 2000 Stephen Joseph said:

"The UK certainly leads the world in rhetoric on climate change but if our words are to be taken seriously then we must get our own house in order and this means making the connection between climate change and transport choices. We must tackle our increasing car use and the rapid growth in aviation."

Matthew Davis, WWF-UK's Climate Change Campaign Director, said:

"Targets that can be missed with impunity take us backwards on climate change. They provide an illusion of progress, while covering up the lack of real action to reduce emissions. This Bill will make targets meaningful, ensuring that Ministers are individually responsible for staying on track, and spelling out the consequences should they fail. As well as the devastating impact on people, this could mean up to one third of land-based species facing extinction by the middle of this century while many marine species could also be lost."

House of Commons

First reading: July 13 2005 (HC Bill 43)

Bill dropped