United Kingdom Climate Change Programme
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The United Kingdom's Climate Change Programme was launched by the British government in response to its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. It aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions not only by the agreed 12.5% from 1990 levels, but by 20% by 2010.
In 2004, the UK was the world's 8th greatest producer of carbon emissions, producing around 2.3% of the total generated from fossil fuels.
As of November 2004, projections are that by 2010 the UK will be about 8% above its goal.[1]
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Climate Change Levy
Current actions aimed at achieving these targets include a Climate Change Levy on all non-domestic energy bills, typically raising them by 8% to 10%. The Climate Change Levy however is offset by corresponding reductions in Employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) having a net zero effect on the tax burden on UK businesses. Introduced on April 1, 2001, the levy applies to all 'traditional' energy sources, and the funds raised are collected by HM Revenue and Customs.
Renewables Obligation
Introduced on April 1, 2002, the Renewables Obligation requires all commercial electricity suppliers to generate a set portion of their electricity from renewables; a proportion that will increase each year until 2027 from a 3% requirement in 2002-2003, via 10.4% in 2010-2011 up to 15.4% by 2015-2016 (figures for subsequent years had not been published at the time of writing).
The renewables obligation also makes requirements about how the electricity can be generated. An example is that the co-firing of biomass with coal is to be phased out - and will not be eligible for Renewable Obligation Certificates after 2016.
The renewables transport fuel obligation is a separate law, which although is not in force yet, is set to become law. It would require bio-ethanol and bio-diesel to be added to road fuel, up to a limit of 2 or 5.75%. The land required for this would be considerable. It has been estimated (by the NFU) that the biomass could be grown by using all of the UKs net wheat exports, and growing wheat on 120K ha of land.
While this may look like a large amount, it is achievable.
Nottingham Declaration
In Local government, a growing number of councils have signed up to the Nottingham Declaration, launched on October 25, 2000, committing them to work towards reducing emissions.
Housing and Community Grants
Grants to assist with the installation of renewable energy sources in domestic properties and for community groups have been made available through the Clear Skies organisation, and are also able to participate in the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration programme.
See also
- Mitigation of global warming
- Economy of the United Kingdom.
- Climate of the United Kingdom.
- European Union.
- UK topics.
- Kyoto Protocol.
- Action on climate change.
External links
- Government Climate Change Project Office
- The Carbon Trust
- Text of the Nottingham Declaration (.doc)
- British Council and openDemocracy debate on the politics of climate change
- http://www.saveenergy.co.uk/
- Climate Change Chronicles Includes frequent stories and press releases related to the UK's Climate Change policy
- George Monbiot, The Guardian, 30 June 2005, "Then ... and now: On November 8 1989, Margaret Thatcher shocked the UN with a speech on global warming."
- July 2005, Energy saving targets scrapped for housing
- June 2005, "London's political and business leaders come together to combat climate change" to create London Climate Change Agency
- Climate Change Action Both original articles on climate change related issues and updates on various national climate change campaigns.
- Campaign against Climate Change Pressure group seeking to bring about a concerted response to climate change from government and public.
- Friends of the Earth The environmentalist group's view of the programme's shortcomings.