UK Policy on carbon..

The Climate Change Levy was introduced in 2001.

UK's ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair said in 2005: "it is now plain that the emission of greenhouse gases... is causing global warming at a rate that is unsustainable." Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change

The EU aim is for only a 2 degree rise, and to achieve that it is predicted that we should not increase beyond 450ppm. The UK government's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, said:

"We're going to be at 400 ppm in 10 years' time, I predict that without any delight in saying it. But no country is going to turn off a power station which is providing much-desired energy for its population to tackle this problem - we have to accept that. To aim for 450 (ppm) would, I am afraid, seem unfeasible."

Stern Review Things have moved apace since Stern spelt out in 2006 that while it may cost us a lot to do something about CO2 emissions now, it could cost us a lot more if we leave it. And when he said that all it would cost was 1% of GDP - like about a penny in the pound, and we would be OK, everybody has gone for it believing that this is all it will cost. Click for what UK government is doing for Climate Change

The government has two formal targets for reducing Britain's climate-changing gases. The first is the one set by the Kyoto protocol, which commits the UK to a 12.5% reduction by 2012. The second is its long-term goal of a 60% cut in carbon dioxide by 2050. A middle target of 26% by 2020 is also emerging.

The Chancellor also announced plans to help insulate homes, switch to low energy light bulbs (in line with EU) and to try to persuade the rest of world to set binding targets.

Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 In March 2007, UK government announced a world first - a country setting legally binding targets in Climate Change Bill.

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A lot of hot air: "Audit reveals that the government's assessment of its own policies is wildly optimistic. Instead of a 29-31% cut by 2020, it is on course to deliver a reduction of between 12% and 17%."

Are Government Departments meeting their own targets? Check out each government department by SDC. They describe the results in March 2007 as "hugely dissappointing"

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