Today the UK Government became the first in the world to publish plans that will set out how every major department will address the challenge of climate change in the UK.

The Carbon Reduction Delivery and Adaptation Plans detail each department’s commitment to minimise the damage of climate change, by reducing emissions and by preparing for inevitable change in the UK climate.

These plans are being published alongside a single overview of what Government is doing: Climate Change: Taking Action – Delivering the Low Carbon Transition Plan and preparing for a changing climate.

Publishing the plans Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
‘These plans demonstrate how each individual department will work to reduce emissions and adapt their own estates, operations and policies.
‘There can be no mistaking that some climate change is inevitable and we will need to adjust the way we live our lives to meet these new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities where possible. These plans are by no means the final word, but are a step towards the low carbon, well-adapted society that we need.’

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:
“The overwhelming scientific evidence shows that human induced climate change poses a huge threat to the world and we must recognise the challenge this presents to all aspects of our economy and daily activities.
“These plans show Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and providing greater opportunities in the low carbon economy.

“The UK is a leader in international efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change. By linking each department’s primary objectives to the challenges posed by climate change, government will lead by example.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that countries will experience further warming over at least the next 30-40 years due to past emissions because of the time lag in the climate system. In the UK we are likely to see warmer, wetter winters and hotter drier summers with increased risk of coastal erosion and severe weather. The UK Climate Projections suggest a range of possible temperature rises of +0.8 to +4 degrees by the 2040s for different areas of the UK, compared to the 1961-1990 average temperature. Our actions now will determine how dramatic changes are in the longer term.

Carbon Delivery Reduction Plans set out for each department how the aims of the department relate to climate change, the measures they will be taking to ensure delivery of emissions reductions and the indicators and milestones being used to monitor progress. They are a recognition by Government that it is the responsibility of all departments to respond to climate change reflecting the fact that all activities have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

 
Departmental adaptation plans include measures to ensure that the agricultural sector is prepared for the changes in farming practices and can take advantage of new opportunities; adapting the built environment – from green infrastructure in urban areas, to how flooding risk is considered; investment to manage flood risk and coastal erosion; heatwave plans; encouraging adaptation skills in the economy from engineering, planning and architecture, to developing new products and services.

Alongside Climate Change Plans, the Government has also today published information on further work to help deal with climate change, including:

- new Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) indicator targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for its estates and operations across the whole of the Government estate and increasing the resilience of the Government estate to the impacts of climate change. Under the new targets, government will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 34 % by 2020 (from 1999/2000 levels) and increase waste recovery (recycling, external re-use, composting and energy from waste) to 80% of waste arisings by 2016/17. 
 
 - new Government guidance to help Government departments and the public sector to use the procurement process to deliver well-adapted public buildings, services and goods
 
 - a discussion paper, The Natural Environment – Adapting to Climate Change, to stimulate debate about the future of our countryside in a changing climate.

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