Image of a tree in a fieldWhat is being done in the UK?


In the UK, as with the rest of the world, responding to the challenge of climate change necessitates fundamental changes in the function of government, industry, and individuals. While the UK government insists that it remains committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010, many commentators including the Royal Society [see reference 71] have said that current government policies on climate change are not enough to meet the targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as set out in the UK Climate Change Programme (see below). It has warned that CO2 emissions could increase if the UK becomes more reliant on fossil fuels.

The Environmental Audit Committee [k] published 'The structure of Government and the challenge of climate change: ninth report of the session 2006-07' [see reference 72] The report concluded that the process the Government has used to address climate change has led to ‘a confusing framework that cannot be said to promote effective action on reducing emissions' [see reference 72] and that ‘there is now a need for a strategic review of Government action to ensure that the leadership and responsibility for the development and delivery of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies is clear’. [see reference 72]

The Stern Review [see reference 18] identified three elements for effective action on reducing GHG emissions:
  • Carbon pricing, through some combination of taxation, trading and regulation.
  • Technology policy, to support the development of a range of low carbon and high efficiency technologies.
  • Removal of barriers to behavioural change, which is particularly important in ensuring take-up of opportunities for energy efficiency.
Developing strategies that are effective at tackling climate change requires a resolute and persistent effort by the UK Government and the devolved nations.

The UK Climate Change Programme is the UK’s key strategy for tackling climate change. It sets out policies and priorities for action for the UK and internationally. The measures to reduce emissions target every sector of the economy and include:
  • a stricter emissions cap for industry
  • measures to encourage the uptake of biofuels in petrol
  • tighter building regulations
  • measures to improve household energy efficiency
  • a renewed emphasis on encouraging and enabling the general public, businesses and public authorities to help achieve the Government's targets
  • increased levels of microgeneration.
For further information please see www.defra.gov.uk/ENVIRONMENT/climatechange/uk/ukccp/index.htm

Examples of current measures and programmes being implemented in the UK in response to the threat of climate change include:

UK Emissions Trading Scheme was the world's first economy-wide GHG emissions trading scheme, when it began in March 2002. To enter the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), participants bid annual, cumulative GHG emissions reductions targets set against a 1998 - 2000 baseline, in return for a share of the incentive money of £215 million. For further information please see www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/trading/uk/index.htm.

Draft Climate Change Bill was published on 13 March 2007 for pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation. On 29 October 2007 the Government published its response to it in the Command Paper Taking Forward the UK Climate Change Bill. The Command Paper sets out how the Climate Change Bill will be strengthened and made more transparent. The Bill will create a new approach to managing and responding to climate change in the UK through: setting ambitious targets, taking powers to help achieve them, strengthening the institutional framework, enhancing the UK’s ability to adapt to the impact of climate change and establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK, Parliament and devolved legislatures. For further information please see www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation/index.htm.

Committee on Climate Change is a key part of the long-term legal framework set out in the draft Climate Change Bill. This committee was created as a new expert body, which will independently assess how the UK can optimally achieve its emissions reductions goals for 2020 and 2050, and will also advise in what targets should be set. For further information please see www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation/committee/index.htm.

Energy white paper: meeting the energy challenge, published on 23 May 2007, it sets out the Government’s international and domestic energy strategy to address the long-term challenge of climate change, by reducing CO2 emissions both within the UK and abroad.
For further information please see www.berr.gov.uk

UK Climate Impacts Programme was set up in 1997 to help public and private sector organisations assess their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and start to develop their own adaptation responses. For further information please see www.ukcip.org.uk

The Climate Change Communication Initiative is led by DEFRA in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, the Carbon Trust, the Environment Agency, the UK Climate Impacts Programme and the Department for Transport. It aims to educate and inform on ways of working together to tackle climate change. For further information please see www.climatechallenge.gov.uk

National Heatwave Plan
After the heatwave in the summer of 2003, the Department of Health started a National Heatwave Plan in 2004. The plan sets out what needs to be done by health and social care services and other bodies in order to raise awareness of risks relating to severe hot weather, including measures needed to reduce those risks. It also outlined the responsibilities at national and local level for alerting people once a heatwave has been forecast, and advised them what to do during a heatwave. For further information on the National Heatwave Plan please see www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4109508

The Met Office Hadley Centre is a key UK resource for climate change research, in particular for climate modelling. Partly funded by DEFRA, it provides in-depth information and advice to, the Government on climate change matters.
For further information please see www.metoffice.gov.uk

The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation, funded both by government and the private sector. This organisation was set up to address the damaging effects of climate change and has offices in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Their aim is to cut emissions of CO2 by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy.
For further information please see www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

The Carbon Trust is a private company set up by Government in response to the threat of climate change. It aims to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by developing commercial low carbon technologies and working with business and the public sector to reduce carbon emissions.
For further information please see www.carbontrust.co.uk

The Sustainable Development Commission is the Government's independent advisory body on sustainable development. They produce evidence-based reports; advise ministers, policy-makers and stakeholders; respond to Government policy initiatives; and undertake appraisals of the government's progress.
For further information please see www.sd-commission.org.uk

In March 2008, the HM Treasury announced proposals for five-yearly carbon budgets, changes to vehicle excise duty and fuel duty as well as proposals for reducing plastic bags use by retailers.

Further sources of information: [k] The role of the Environmental Audit Committee is to consider to what extent the policies and programmes of government departments and non-departmental public bodies contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

© British Medical Association 2008

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