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 an annual target for reducing CO2 emissions and create an independent 
 climate change commission to check on progress on cutting carbon dioxide 
 emissions. The Environment Secretary would be required to seek approval for 
 an annual carbon budget report to Parliament. 
  
 David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, is understood to have won a 
 Whitehall battle to secure a slot for a climate change Bill in the package 
 of legislation to be announced on 15 November in the Queen's Speech. But it 
 is likely to fall far short of demands for annual targets by environmental 
 groups and MPs. 
  
 Downing Street confirmed yesterday that the Government favours long-term 
 targets rather than annual targets. "We think we should have long-term 
 targets because we can work towards those in stages," said the Prime 
 Minister's official spokesman. 
  
 One minister who has worked on the strategy said: "We think we can get 
 better results if we set long-term targets. Annual targets can have negative 
 effects, if we don't meet them. But long-term targets encourage people to 
 try harder." 
  
 These excuses were dismissed by environmental groups. Tony Juniper, the 
 executive director of Friends of the Earth, said 10-year targets were "just 
 not good enough. Long-term targets have failed to deliver in the past and 
 they will fail again. A commitment to legally binding, year-on-year cuts is 
 needed if we are to ensure that every government does its bit to cut 
 emissions." 
  
 Environmental lobbyists praised the Conservative Bill, drafted with the help 
 of Zac Goldsmith, a climate change campaigner, saying it was "radical" and 
 "impressive". More than 400 MPs have signed a Commons motion calling for 
 binding annual targets on climate change but Mr Blair left them with little 
 doubt that he would duck that challenge. 
  
 Taunted by the Tory leader at Prime Minister's Questions that he would 
 "water down" his Bill, Mr Blair showed little stomach for a fight with big 
 business and domestic consumers of energy who could be faced with higher 
 bills. 
  
 Mr Blair said: "You are asking for statutory, binding, year-on-year targets 
 which are very, very difficult to deliver because of the changes that may 
 happen in any one year which would render them extremely difficult to 
 achieve." 
  
 He added: "It has also got to be practical and workable and that is why we 
 will make sure any proposals we come forward with we are able to make sure 
 that we get the reductions we need in CO2 emissions. It has also got to be 
 entirely compatible with the interests of business and consumers as well." 
  
 Britain's recent record warm months, followed by torrential rains, have 
 highlighted the risks caused by climate change. The pressure for tougher 
 action will be increased on Monday with the report by Sir Nicholas Stern, 
 the head of the government economic service, which is expected to say that 
 action on climate change will cost 1 per cent of GDP, but the bill will be 
 10 per cent of GDP if the Government does nothing. 
  
 Reports yesterday that the draft Bill was going before a cabinet committee 
 were dismissed by ministerial sources. It is understood that the inclusion 
 of a climate change Bill in the Queen's Speech has been agreed in principle 
 but there is still argument over the detail, which is unlikely to be 
 finalised until the new year. Mr Miliband is facing resistance from the 
 Department of Trade and Industry and the Treasury, which are worried about 
 the impact on the economy. 
  
 Labour fought the last election on a manifesto commitment to cut Britain's 
 CO2 emissions by 20 per cent, to 1990 levels, by 2010. But when it became 
 unachievable, it quickly focused instead on its other target of cutting 
 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. 
  
 The recession under the Tories and the closure of much of the coal mining 
 industry gave Britain a head start in cutting CO2 emissions but since Labour 
 came to power, CO2 emissions have been going up. Ministers defend their 
 record, saying it is because of economic growth, but the environmental 
 groups accuse Gordon Brown of failing to rise to the challenge of global 
 warming with tougher taxes. 
  
 Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, has announced radical 
 "green" taxes, including raising duty on "gas-guzzling" cars to €2,000 a 
 year. Last night, he attacked Mr Blair for allowing green taxes to fall to 
 their lowest level since Margaret Thatcher's time. 
  
 He supported the Liberal Democrat-led Richmond Council after it proposed big 
 increases yesterday in charges for parking permits for the most polluting 
 cars while those with electric cars would pay nothing. Owners of vehicles 
 such as high-performance Porsches and 4x4s would see their annual permit 
 charge rise from €100 to €300. 
  
 Policies of the opposition parties 
  
 Conservatives 
  
 * Committed to a climate change Bill to impose binding annual carbon 
 emission targets. 
  
 * Bill would create an independent climate-change commission. 
  
 * Environment Secretary would be required to deliver annual carbon budget 
 report for approval by Parliament. 
  
 * Still undecided about policy on future of the new nuclear power stations. 
  
 * Hinted that green taxes, including on cars, would be imposed to pay for 
 cuts in other taxes for families and business. 
  
 Liberal Democrats 
  
 * Committed to achieving the Kyoto target of a 20 per cent cut in the UK's 
 CO2 emissions "well before" the deadline of 2010. 
  
 * Announced a range of radical green taxes, including increasing vehicle 
 excise duty up to €2,000 for "gas guzzlers". 
  
 * Committed to replacing climate change levy with a tougher carbon tax that 
 would discourage the use of polluting fuels and energy sources that are 
 harmful to the environment. 
  
 * Would cancel new nuclear power programme. 
  
 Green Party 
  
 * Committed to 20 per cent cut in CO2 by 2010. 
  
 * Introduce a carbon tax based on fuel carbon content. 
  
 * Increase energy from renewable resources by 40 per cent by 2020. 
  
 * Close nuclear programme. 
  
 * Boost public transport by cutting road building and taking rail and Tube 
 systems into public ownership. 
  
 The European approaches 
  
 France 
  
 France regards itself as a leader in the fight against global warming. More 
 than 70 per cent of its electricity comes from nuclear power, rather than 
 fossil fuels. A timetable for French industry and car emissions to adhere to 
 the Kyoto guidelines became law as part of the national climate plan last 
 year. France insists publicly that it will do all it can to hit these 
 targets but officials admit it is unlikely to succeed and environmental 
 groups in France say the country has no chance. 
  
 Germany 
  
 A powerful Green party has turned Germany into a model when it comes to the 
 environment. The government is committed to ending a reliance on nuclear 
 power - there are incentives thatencourage alternative energy sources. 
 North-east Germany is one of the world's most densely wind-farmed regions. A 
 devotion to recycling, a ban on canned drinks and the legendary rubbish 
 sorting system are the source of jokes. 
  
 Italy 
  
 The Green movement has taken a while to catch on Italy, where la dolce vita 
 is all too often seen through the haze of pollution caused by fast cars and 
 gas-pumping motorcycles. But the government is committed to reducing 
 greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, and recently 
 signed a voluntary agreement with Fiat on curbing the greenhouse gas 
 emissions from cars. It has also introduced a series of laws,to reduce 
  
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