Climate change and energy
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today. Rising global temperatures will bring changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather. The effects will be felt in the UK; internationally there may be severe problems for people in regions that are particularly vulnerable.
We are acting now to adapt to climate change and to reduce the risk by contributing less to the causes. These pages explains what climate change means for the UK and what we are doing about it.
Climate Change Act 2008
The world’s first long-term legal framework for tackling climate change has become law and the Committee on Climate Change has been established. Read more...
Department of Energy and Climate Change
The Department of Energy and Climate Change was established on 3 October 2008. See the DECC website.
Latest information
Selected additions to this site and other relevant government websites
What is climate change?
The greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, effects of climate change globally and in the UK
What we are doing in the UK
Information about the Climate Change Act; the UK Climate Change Programme; initiatives for individuals and business; adapting to climate change; energy issues.
What we are doing internationally
International negotiations including UN Climate Change Conferences; developing countries; the EU, Kyoto Mechanisms and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Evidence & research: science & economics
Links to relevant documents including work on the cost of carbon
Emissions trading
UK and EU emissions trading schemes
See also:
Page last modified: 1 December 2008