Agreement on Denmark's climate change bill, Climate Council and national climate goals The government (the Social Democrats and the Social Liberals), the Socialist People's Party, Red Green Alliance and the Conservative People’s Party have agreed to establish an overall strategic framework for national climate policy in order to convert to a low-carbon society by 2050. In other words the aim is to achieve a resource-efficient society with a power supply based on renewable energy and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, while at the same time supporting growth and development. The new strategic framework will ensure transparency and openness on the status, direction and progress of climate policy, including ensuring the continual submission of national climate goals. The Parties therefore agree to adopt a new climate bill with the following content: A. Establishment of an independent Climate Council which draws on highly qualified academics B. Annual Climate Policy Report C. Process for establishing national climate goals D. Financing of the climate change law and the Climate Council A. Establishment of an independent, academically based Climate Council By 1 January 2015 a new independent Climate Council is to be established to promote transparency and an academically coherent approach for decisions on national climate policy. The Climate Council is to provide independent advice to the Government on the nations transition to a lowcarbon society. The Climate Council shall at least once a year make recommendations to the government on climate action, so that this move can be geared to the most cost-efficient manner in terms of growth, competitiveness and employment. The climate Council will, in this context, focus on the following key points: 1 Assess the status of Denmark's compliance with national climate goals and international climate commitments. 2 Analyse possible transition paths towards a low-carbon society by 2050 and possible measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 3 Draw up recommendations on the development of Climate policy, including the choice of instruments and measures for realising the transition. 4 Contribute to the public debate. The Council shall, in drawing up its analysis and work, consult and involve relevant stakeholders including business interests, social partners and civil society. This can be done through conferences, media and the like and will serve to increase transparency in climate policy formulation. The climate, energy and building minister may request the climate Council to make recommendations on specific priority issues. The Climate Council will consist of a chairman and five members appointed for a 4-year period. The Climate Council should be comprised of experts with a broad expertise relevant to the climate. These experts should be specialists in the fields of energy, transport, agriculture, environment/nature and economy, and include a broad socio-economic and financial business expertise. The climate, energy and building minister shall appoint a chairman. The other members will be appointed by the minister after consultation with the relevant ministries. B. Annual Climate Policy Report In order to encourage broad political and social discussion, the climate, energy and building minister will request an annual Climate Policy Report which will include an overview of climate policy and climate action as well as the Climate Council’s recommendations and the government's position on the subject. The Climate policy report will be sent to parliament and thus serve as part of the ongoing debate on climate change. C. Process for establishing national climate goals The climate law obliges the climate, energy and building minister to present, at least every 5 years, a national climate goals strategy with a 10 year, forward looking perspective. The incumbent climate, energy and building minister is thus obliged to continuously present national climate goals to parliament within this framework. D. Financing of climate law and Climate Council Funding for the Climate Council, including the Secretariat and other activities enacted under the climate law, as well as the upgrading of the Danish Energy Authority’s work regarding national climate initiatives shall be set at 12 million Danish Kroner per year, of which 3 million per annum will be earmarked for the Danish Energy Authority. The expenditure will be financed pursuant to the finance law FFL15.