Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
330Ayes
93Noes
Carried · majority 237 · Government won226 did not vote
649 Members · Aye 330 · No 93 · DNV 226 · grey dots in centre are abstentions
Analysis
Commons
Commons
Parliament approved a statutory instrument setting a limit on the number of carbon credits the UK can use to meet its emissions targets under the Climate Change Act 2008. The vote on 24 June 2026 passed by 330 ayes to 93 noes. The order determines how much of the UK's legally binding emissions reduction obligations can be fulfilled through purchasing international carbon market credits, rather than cutting emissions at home. The credit limit matters because it shapes the balance between domestic action and international carbon trading. A tighter limit forces more emissions reductions within the UK economy; a more permissive one gives the government greater flexibility to meet targets through overseas credits. The order sits alongside related instruments voted on the same day, including a draft carbon budget order and regulations covering international aviation and shipping, all of which passed by similar margins. The vote split along clear party lines. Labour MPs, including those returned under the Labour and Co-operative banner, voted entirely in favour, as did the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and Plaid Cymru. All 85 Conservative MPs who voted opposed the order, joined by all six Reform UK MPs who voted, one Democratic Unionist Party MP, and one independent. There were no Conservative or Reform UK ayes recorded. The scale of the Labour majority meant opposition from the right made no difference to the outcome.
Voting Aye meant
Support the proposed carbon credit limit under the Climate Change Act, backing the government's approach to balancing domestic emissions reductions with international carbon market flexibility.
Voting No meant
Oppose the proposed credit limit, either because it allows too much reliance on international carbon credits rather than domestic action, or because the limit is seen as too restrictive on flexibility.
Each row is one party. The stacked bar gives the within-party split of Aye / No / Absent; the columns on the right give the raw counts. The whip column shows the published party position — “Free vote” means the whip was formally removed for this division.
Party
Whip
Aye / No / Abs
Aye
No
Abs
Labour Party
Whipped Aye
241
0
119
Conservative and Unionist Party
Whipped No
0
85
31
Liberal Democrats
Whipped Aye
48
0
23
Labour and Co-operative Party
Whipped Aye
29
0
14
Independent
—
2
1
10
Reform UK
Whipped No
0
6
2
Scottish National Party
—
0
0
7
Sinn Féin
—
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
—
0
1
4
Green Party of England and Wales
Whipped Aye
5
0
0
Plaid Cymru
Whipped Aye
4
0
0
Social Democratic and Labour Party
—
0
0
2
Your Party
—
1
0
1
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
—
0
0
1
Restore Britain
—
0
0
1
Speaker
—
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
—
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
—
0
0
1
Source · Hansard · UK Parliament Votes API · whip status from announced positions; “free vote” indicates the whip was formally removed
The carbon budget is a science-led framework that combines climate action with economic growth, job creation, and national security; Britain has already halved emissions while growing the economy 85%, proving climate action and prosperity are compatible.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,455 words) →
The carbon budget lacks credible impact assessment, will increase costs for households and businesses, offshore manufacturing to higher-emission countries, and represents unaccountable control by civil servants and activists; the Climate Change Committee's costings are unreliable and not properly scrutinised.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (3,539 words) →
The carbon budget sets a credible long-term framework that provides business certainty; the previous cross-party consensus should be rebuilt and the government's delivery plan will answer the detailed questions about implementation.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,088 words) →
The carbon budget is necessary and science-based; climate change is already causing measurable harm; the government should accelerate electrification and place local authorities at the centre of delivery with statutory climate duties.Liberal Democrat · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,426 words) →
The carbon budget reflects proven climate policy success; while scrutiny is legitimate, opposition to the measure signals climate denial; the transition must accelerate to tackle interconnected crises of climate, cost of living, and nature loss.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (783 words) →
The impact assessment explicitly states the transition will create net jobs; the Climate Change Committee's advice is robust and evidence-based; the cost of inaction is higher than the cost of the transition.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (155 words) →
The UK has already cut emissions 54% since 1990 and done its part; other countries should follow our lead rather than Britain imposing unilateral burdens on itself.Reform UK · Voted no · Read full speech (157 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0