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UK Climate Projections

A concerted programme of action in response to climate change is being pursued across the Government, led by DECC and Defra.

Starting with the publication by Defra of the latest UK Climate Projections, Ministers will this summer set out the building blocks of a 'five point plan' designed both to reduce emissions at home and abroad and to protect and prepare for the changes that are already inevitable.

The Government plan of action

thames barrier Building on its extensive programme developed over recent years, the UK Government is taking action on five fronts.

1. Protecting the public from immediate risk

Climate change is already happening in the UK. The ten hottest years on record globally have occurred since 1990. The South and South East of England are short of water and we have seen increased incidents of flooding.

The Government has more than doubled spending on flood protection since 1997, developed a heatwave plan in the NHS and is helping communities affected by coastal erosion.

This week Defra announced its coastal management consultation and the Environment Agency will be setting out its investment priorities on flood protection up to 2035. See how we are protecting the public from immediate risk.

2. Preparing for the future

Whatever is done to reduce emissions in the future, past emissions mean that some climate change is already inevitable. The new UK Climate Projections will be used to help plan for a future with a changing climate.

Factoring climate change into decision making means, for example, changing the way we build our houses and infrastructure, managing water better and adjusting farming practices.

Find out more about the Projections and the Projections in Practice events

3. Limiting the severity of future climate change through a new international climate agreement

wind turbines To limit global temperature increases to less than two degrees and avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change, the Government is leading international efforts to achieve a new international climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.

We must ensure global emissions start to fall within the next decade and be at least 50% below 1990 levels by 2050. Later in June the Government will set out its aims for the Copenhagen deal. Read more on limiting the severity of future climate change.

4. Building a low carbon UK

energy efficient lighting To play our part in reducing global emissions, Britain needs to become a low carbon country.

The 2008 Climate Change Act made Britain the first country in the world to set legally binding “carbon budgets”, aiming to cut UK emissions by 34% by 2020 and at least 80% by 2050 through investment in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies such as renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage.

The Government published the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan White Paper on 15 July 2009, setting out how we will meet our carbon budgets while maintaining energy security, creating jobs and economic opportunities for UK firms, and protecting the most vulnerable sectors of our society. Find out more about building a low carbon UK

5. Supporting individuals, communities and businesses to play their part

ACT ON CO2 Everyone has a role to play in tackling climate change, from reducing their own emissions to planning for adaptation.

Building on our ACT ON CO₂ information campaign, the Government is providing a range of support for individuals, communities and businesses, including a major programme of financial help for home insulation and energy efficiency. Find out more about what you can do.