Climate change featured prominently in the Queen’s speech today, coming in second only to economic recovery, as two Bills were released by the Government.

Addressing both Houses of Parliament at the state opening of Parliament, Queen Elizabeth II said: “My Government will seek effective global and European collaboration through the G20 and the European Union to sustain economic recovery and to combat climate change, including at the Copenhagen summit next month.”

She stressed that, among other policy announcements surrounding finance, crime and social issues, the Government plans to introduce legislation on carbon capture and storage.

“Legislation will be introduced to support carbon capture and storage and to help more of the most vulnerable households with their energy bills,” she stated, before adding that legal measures will also be introduced to protect areas from flooding and improve water management.

However, ensuring “sustained growth” and recovery from the economic recession is the Government’s priority, she said.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21361

Details of the bills at:

http://www.sustainable-build.com/Articles/tabid/92/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3280/Climate-change-prominent-in-Queens-speech--update--bill-details-released.aspx