Climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet today.  It’s a global issue that demands a global response.  All countries must be part of the solution. Floods, alternating with spells of extreme drought, general changes in spring/autumn weather patterns are clear evidence that climate change is already happening.

The UK plays a leading role on climate change at the international level.  The UK Government’s goal on climate change is to stabilise the levels of greenhouse gases so that we avoid adverse impact of climate change, and to adapt to unavoidable climate change.  The UK Government and the EU consider that global warming must be limited to no more than 2ºC temperature rise above pre-industrial times to avoid dangerous climate change.

Crucial to achieving this goal is securing a global agreement to a realistic, robust, durable and fair framework for the post 2012 period, when the first set of targets under the Kyoto Protocol expire.