NEWS RELEASE
Date: 12 May 2007
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Citizens’ Summit puts climate change in the spotlight
Environment Secretary David Miliband highlighted the need for government, business and consumers to work together to reduce CO2 emissions at the first Climate Change Citizens’ Summit in London today (Saturday 12 May).
Following the publication of the draft Climate Change Bill in March, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been involved in a programme of public engagement to help the public understand the CO2 impact of their lifestyles and encourage individual behaviour change.
The Citizens’ Summit has two key objectives:
- As part of the draft Climate Change Bill consultation, to help government design policy to maximise positive individual behaviour on climate change; and
- To drive awareness, information and debate on climate change.
David Miliband said:
“This event breaks new ground in the way government talks to the public about climate change. This is essential because if we are going to tackle it head on, we need everyone on board and everyone having their say.
“I am keen to find out what people really think about climate change, how they are prepared to change their behaviour to tackle it and how government, business and consumers can work together to reduce CO2 emissions.
“All the evidence suggests that when people feel involved they are more likely to think about the impact of their own behaviour. I hope this summit will encourage people to take action.”
During the summit, a representative sample of 150 people, recruited from six locations around the country, will be asked to discuss the following questions:
- Do you think there should be legally binding targets for government to ensure that the UK reduces CO2 emissions?
- How can government, business, the workforce and citizens work together effectively to reduce CO2 emissions?
- How can government, business, the workforce and citizens work together effectively to encourage us all, as individuals to make personal behaviour changes?
The draft Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in any country, and accompanying strategy, set out a framework for moving the UK to a low-carbon economy.
Key points of the draft Bill include:
- A new system of legally binding five year "carbon budgets", set at least 15 years ahead, to provide clarity on the UK's pathway towards its key targets and increase the certainty that businesses and individuals need to invest in low-carbon technologies.
- A new statutory body, the Committee on Climate Change , to provide independent expert advice and guidance to government on achieving its targets and staying within its carbon budgets.
- New powers to enable the government to more easily implement policies to cut emissions.
The draft bill will be subject to a full public consultation alongside pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament.
Notes to editors
1. David Miliband was speaking at the Citizens’ Summit on Climate Change with Richard Lambert, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI); Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC and Ed Mayo, Chief Executive of the National Consumer Council.
2. The summit is part of Defra’s Act on CO2-branded campaign which aims to make people aware of the link between their own everyday behaviour and climate change. More information can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/index.htm
3. Around 150 citizens attended the first Citizens’ Summit at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London. Participants were recruited from six locations around the country (London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham). Prior to the summit, all participants took part in regional workshops where they discussed issues around climate change.
4. Opinion Leader Research (OLR) are an independent research company with particular expertise in deliberative public engagement who were contracted to manage the summit. They will produce a report on their findings and the results will be published after the event.
5. Many companies are realising how their business impacts on climate change and what they can do to tackle the problem. One example of how businesses are doing this is through the Climate Group, an independent, not-for-profit organisation which brings together governments and businesses to create a new momentum in the international effort to tackle climate change.
6. In April, the Climate Group launched “We’re in this together”, a campaign which brings together major companies who have all made a commitment to come up with and adopt solutions for them and their customers to tackle climate change. More information can be found at www.theclimategroup.org
7. The draft Climate Change Bill and accompanying paper can be accessed at: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/climatechange-bill/
Responses to the consultation on the draft bill should be sent to: climatechangeconsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk or to:
Patrick Erwin / James Hardy
Climate Change Legislation Team
Area 4/F5
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6DE
The closing date for comments is 12 June 2007.
End
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Page published: 12 May 2007