Climate Change Plan published today

Defra’s Climate Change Plan was published today as part of a cross-Government initiative to tackle climate change.

The plan is one of 16 being launched by all major Government departments, in a joint effort to tackle the challenges the country faces from climate change.

The plans detail each department’s commitment to minimising the damage of climate change, both by reducing emissions and by preparing for a changing climate.

Defra’s Adapting to Climate Change Programme has led the cross-Government work to produce Adaptation Plans, which have been published alongside a single overview: ‘Climate Change: Taking Action – Delivering the Low Carbon Transition Plan and preparing for a changing climate’.

Defra’s Climate Change Plan covers both what we are doing to adapt, and reduce emissions from, our own estate and operations. It also explores how we will work with key sectors and develop Defra’s policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve our resilience to the impacts of climate change, and embrace the opportunities it may present for the UK.

This is accompanied by a document on Adaptation and the Natural Environment, to stimulate debate about the future of our countryside in a changing climate.

Alongside the Climate Change Plans, the Government has also today published information on further work to help promote the climate change agenda, including:

new targets to drive forward sustainability on the Government estate, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change
new guidance to help Government departments and the public sector to use the procurement process to deliver well-adapted public buildings, services and goods.

16 April 2010