Passing the Climate Change Act

When it became law in November 2008, the Climate Change Act set in legislation a target for the UK to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. It also introduced five-year carbon budgets as a tool to achieve this target and set up the independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

Setting carbon budgets

Carbon budgets are legally-binding limits on the greenhouse gas emissions which will help drive the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy – and the UK is the first country in the world to implement them.

The UK’s first carbon budgets were negotiated in the past year by the Department of the Environment and Climate Change (DECC) across Whitehall and were announced in the 2009 Budget. To ensure the budgets are met, the Government will have to put in place wide ranging policies to reduce emissions in all sectors of the UK.

The UK has already reduced emissions significantly, but – with even more challenging targets to meet – carbon budgets will act as stepping stones to our longer-term emissions targets.

Moving the UK onto a low-carbon footing

The UK was the first country in the world to produce a comprehensive plan to move the UK onto a permanent low-carbon footing.

• Read the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan for more on how these plans will work

Educating the public through the Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) tries to prevent climate change by helping everybody in the UK cut carbon dioxide emissions – the main greenhouse gas – from their homes. Through its advice centres and website, the EST promotes the efficient use of energy and a more low-carbon lifestyle. EST was set up by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Providing financial help through the Warm Front scheme

Warm Front is the Government’s flagship fuel poverty programme which provides grants to householders on certain benefits, including pension credits. It allows those who receive help to make improvements to their central heating and install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation.

Negotiating a climate change deal at Copenhagen

Unprecedented levels of agreement will be needed when the world comes together to agree a new international climate change agreement at Copenhagen in December. The UK Government is working hard to reach an ambitious, effective and fair deal at these talks and in June this year, DECC published its roadmap to the negotiations – a first in the UK.