Climate Change Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 107: 107: Clause 21, page 11, line 14, at end insert— ““( ) Regulations specifying a carbon unit must employ a definition which accords with international carbon reporting practice.”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, I shall speak also to the other amendments in the group, which includes government amendments. The amendments concern the definition of a carbon unit and the procedures for changing this definition through regulation. Amendment No. 107 seeks to ensure that the definition of a carbon unit coincides with international practice. It was brought forward to bring greater precision to what is meant by a carbon unit and to ensure that the international context was taken into account. Government Amendment No. 114 seems to cover our concern by placing a duty on the Secretary of State to take into account the committee’s recommendation with regard to changing the definition of carbon units. This seems to be sufficient as it is unlikely that the committee would suggest a definition which is wildly inconsistent with international practice. It is an example of a situation in which the Government have heeded the calls from this side of the House to put the committee in a more prominent role. The two other amendments in the group add further circumstances which would require the affirmative procedure should these changes be made. We welcome the chance to scrutinise any changes to the amount a carbon unit will be worth, as it were, in terms of the net UK carbon account. Therefore we are grateful for the Government’s concession here to allow more transparency and parliamentary accountability. Considering the importance of administering the carbon accounts, will the Minister comment as to why any changes to the scheme of administration would not also be subject to the affirmative procedure? I beg to move.