What is the government doing?

Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK government has set a UK target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. This it to address the risks posed to the UK from the impacts of climate induced weather changes.

Legally binding five year carbon budgets, require a 34% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, relative to 1990 levels.

The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 establishes a duty for local authorities to have regard to climate change. In particular, local government is required to "lead their community and their local partners on climate change".

The Renewable Energy Strategy 2009 has a renewable energy target of 15% which will require a tenfold increase on existing levels of renewable generation. The Low Carbon Transition Plan 2009 sets out how the UK government intends to cut carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 based on 1990 levels. Reductions in emissions will come from the energy supply, houses, workplaces and transport.  

Find out more about ways the government will help people act.

This page was last updated on 18 March 2011