The economic slump must not be a reason for scaling back the climate change programme, a minister stressed this week. Speaking at an MJ conference on the new carbon-reduction commitment rules, Joan Ruddock, climate change minister, said: ‘The public sector has a key role in demonstrating leadership in reducing carbon emissions. We do not believe this is the time to abandon the climate change programme, the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of action.' She told the event she had received no representation from local authorities asking for the proposed CRC rules to be delayed. The new CRC rules start in April 2010, and will involve a system of allowances and rebate with fines for failure to deliver.
