The United Kingdom Climate Change Act: A Climate Change Framework Law

National framework legislation can provide stability and direction to achieve climate goals. This form of legislation can help create the institutions required to plan, implement, and sustain credible commitments on climate policies that last beyond political cycles. Legislation can enshrine stable and ambitious targets into law, create mechanisms for realizing them, and ensure proper oversight and accountability. Many other nations have since adopted similar legislation, including Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, and Sweden; this case study analyzes the features of the UK Climate Change Act and evaluates its impact on the United Kingdom’s decarbonization and adaptation pathways.