Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Monday, 15 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 October 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 16 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to tackle climate change. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to tackle climate change. [131066] Mr. Morley: Tackling climate change is a high priority for the Government which will continue to show international leadership by taking effective action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Policies outlined in the UK Climate Change Programme (CCP) will ensure that the Government are on course to meet its Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below base year levels by 2008-12 and move towards the domestic goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. The Government are committed to monitoring the effectiveness of the policies and measures in the CCP and will be reviewing it formally in 2004. In addition, as announced in the Energy White Paper, the UK is putting itself on a path to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. by 2050, with real progress by 2020. The UK works closely with international partners to ensure that effective efforts to combat climate change are taken by all Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and that the Kyoto Protocol enters into force as soon as possible.

Secondary information