Part 1Carbon target and budgeting

Carbon budgeting

4Carbon budgets

1

It is the duty of the Secretary of State—

a

to set for each succeeding period of five years beginning with the period 2008-2012 (“budgetary periods”) an amount for the net UK carbon account (the “carbon budget”), and

b

to ensure that the net UK carbon account for a budgetary period does not exceed the carbon budget.

2

The carbon budget for a budgetary period may be set at any time after this Part comes into force, and must be set—

a

for the periods 2008-2012, 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, before 1st June 2009;

b

for any later period, not later than 30th June in the 12th year before the beginning of the period in question.