The response of the global community
After the international conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 (the Earth Summit) the United Nations (UN) set up the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to tackle the challenge of global warming. The secretariat is in Bonn, Germany. Every year the countries that have signed up to the Convention meet to discuss progress towards reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to zero (the Conference of the Parties (COP)).
The politicians and negotiators are advised by scientists from around the world (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)). This publishes reports from time to time updating the current thinking on climate change and solutions to solving the problem.
After the international conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 (the Earth Summit) the United Nations (UN) set up the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to tackle the challenge of global warming. The secretariat is in Bonn, Germany. Every year the countries that have signed up to the Convention meet to discuss progress towards reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to zero (the Conference of the Parties (COP)).
The politicians and negotiators are advised by scientists from around the world (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)). This publishes reports from time to time updating the current thinking on climate change and solutions to solving the problem.
The response of the United Kingdom Government
The Climate Change Act was passed in the UK in November 2008 with an overwhelming majority across political parties. It sets out emission reduction targets that the UK must comply with legally. It represents the first global legally binding climate change mitigation target set by a country. The Act committed the UK to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. However, this target was made more ambitious in 2019 when the UK became the first major economy to commit to a net zero target. The new target requires the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The Act also provides a system of carbon budgeting, to help the UK meet its targets through a series of five-year carbon budgets. What is Net Zero? Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. The Government is advised by the Committee on Climate Change, who publish progress reports on a regular basis. The UK has made good progress on removing carbon dioxide emissions from how we generate our electricity. On many days we generate up to 80% of our electricity from wind, solar and nuclear power. Note that not everyone agrees that biomass is carbon neutral. |
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Response of a Local Authority: Haringey Council
The Local Authority declared a climate emergency in 2021 and produced the Haringey Climate Change Action plan.
The Council has pledged to reduce carbon emissions in the borough by 2041, by working on its own estate and encouraging its residents to take action on housing, transport, business, energy.
Local residents are working with the Council through the Haringey Climate Forum which contains a lot of information about the climate crisis and local action.
The Local Authority declared a climate emergency in 2021 and produced the Haringey Climate Change Action plan.
The Council has pledged to reduce carbon emissions in the borough by 2041, by working on its own estate and encouraging its residents to take action on housing, transport, business, energy.
Local residents are working with the Council through the Haringey Climate Forum which contains a lot of information about the climate crisis and local action.
Thank you to Pamela Harling for contributing this page