Climate Change Bill [HL]

I think that I understand the reasoning, purpose and motivation behind the amendment, but if we read it strictly it could become a climate sceptic’s charter, as it states that it, "““must operate so as to avoid so far as is reasonably practicable any risk of damage to, or deterioration of …the economy””." If I were of a climate sceptic bent, I would use that provision as far as I could legally to neuter everything that is trying to be achieved. That is the risk of the amendment. I clearly applaud the noble Earl and the other noble Lords who tabled the amendment for bringing biodiversity to the fore but, in a different context earlier, my amendment was about taking it into consideration and then weighing it up. In this broader area of risk, particularly in terms of ecology, we are talking about precautionary principles, and it immediately becomes extremely conservative in terms of its interpretation. The amendment as drafted could undermine the whole purpose of the Bill, so it requires considerable rethinking.