The report says people will need to adapt to "the realities of climate change"

The government's proposals to tackle climate change need to be tougher and legally enforceable, say MPs and peers.

A report said the government's target of a 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 may not be adequate.

International aviation emissions should be included in targets and there should be a cap on the use of "carbon credits" to meet them, the joint committee said.

It backed the government's five-yearly carbon targets, but said there should be annual "milestones" and reports.

The joint committee on climate change was examining the government's draft Climate Change Bill - which ministers say shows Britain is "leading by example".

The committee also added that an upper limit on carbon reductions should be removed, as there was no "compelling reason" for it.

Carbon credits

It sets out plans to reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 60%, from the 1990 base level, by 2050 - and sets an interim target of "at least 26% but not more than 32%" by 2020.

The report said it could see no reason for that upper limit of 32% and asked for it to be removed.

The government's proposal to use foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of our emissions targets is outrageous David Howarth Lib Dems

The committee expressed "surprise" that the government intended to buy foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of its emission savings under the EU emissions trading scheme.

It says there should be an "absolute cap" on their use, saying: "The bill as currently drafted would still theoretically allow all the savings to be made externally to the UK, notably in developing countries, and thereby postponing the decarbonisation of the UK economy."

The report also points out that emissions from international aviation are not included in the scope of UK targets, adding: "We consider this to be a serious weakness."

In addition, the report says the government must give a higher priority to changing the behaviour of individuals with major public information campaigns.

'Groundbreaking bill'

The committee also calls for "further thinking" on legal enforceability of targets and budgets and suggests a system whereby the environment secretary could "redress any failure" to meet a target through the courts.

It also says the Committee on Climate Change - a proposed oversight body - must be given sufficient powers and resources, and local councils should help communities adapt "to the realities of climate change".

The committee's chairman, Labour's Lord Puttnam, said the draft bill was an "exceptionally significant piece of legislation" because of the scale of issues it was trying to address, and its potential impact on people.

"The government's biggest challenge is to ensure that we all understand the consequences of both our own and future generations failing to achieve the targets enshrined in this groundbreaking bill," he said.

Liberal Democrat committee member David Howarth added: "The government's proposal to use foreign carbon credits to meet 70% of our emissions targets is outrageous.

"It puts off creating a low carbon economy in the UK and relies on other countries making the necessary changes.

"The committee has rightly taken a tough line on foreign credits. I hope the government listens."