4 Looking ahead to 2008-09
47. During 2007-08, we began work on two inquiries
which will be completed in Session 2008-09. Four oral evidence
sessions have been held on reducing CO2 and other emissions
from shipping, and we expect to publish a report on this subject
early in the new year. We will also begin to take oral evidence
early in the new Session for an inquiry into climate change and
deforestation. We expect that the Sub-Committee on Environmental
Protection will complete its work on environmental labelling.
48. Looking further ahead, we intend to undertake
an inquiry into emissions trading, with a particular focus on
the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. We will also maintain our historic
focus on green taxation and fiscal issues, and will once again
publish a report on the Pre-Budget Report. In addition to our
work on climate change, we hope to devote some of our time to
examining questions of air quality. The Government
has indicated its intention to publish a bill on Antarctica in
draft form. Once the draft Antarctica Bill has been published
we will consider what part our Committee might play in the process
of pre-legislative scrutiny.
49. Over the course of the coming Session it is likely
that the Climate Change Act will have a significant impact on
our work. While it is too early to think about a formal process
of post-legislative scrutiny, the Act should have a significant
impact on government policy and we will be looking closely at
how the Act drives a change in the scale and urgency of the response
to climate change. The Act establishes an independent Committee
on Climate Change (CCC) and we are likely to devote some of our
time to looking at the new targets for emissions reductions and
carbon budgets recommended by that committee. The CCC is expected
to publish its first report on progress made by Government in
meeting carbon budgets in September 2009. In addition to our work
on emissions, adaptation to a changing climate is likely to be
an important topic. We look forward to co-operating fruitfully
with the new Energy and Climate Change Committee.
| 
