Is the UK contributing to Climate Change?

Answer 1

The European Union is working actively for a global agreement to control climate change and is taking domestic action to achieve substantial reductions in its own contribution. It is also developing a European strategy for adapting to climate change. The EU was instrumental in the development of the two United Nations climate treaties, the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, agreed in 1997.

The EU has also been taking steps to limit its greenhouse gas emissions since the early 1990s.

1. In 2000 the European Commission launched the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) which has led to the adoption of a wide range of new policies and measures, including the pioneering EU Emissions Trading System.
2. The Kyoto Protocol requires the 15 countries that were EU members at the time ('EU-15') to reduce their collective emissions in the 2008-2012 period to 8% below 1990 levels. Emissions monitoring and projections show that the EU-15 is well on track to meet this target.
3. In 2007 EU leaders endorsed an integrated approach to climate and energy policy and committed to transforming Europe into a highly energy-efficient, low carbon economy. They made a unilateral commitment that Europe would cut its emissions by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. This commitment is being implemented through a package of binding legislation.
4. The EU has also offered to increase its emissions reduction to 30% by 2020, on condition that other major emitting countries in the developed and developing worlds commit to do their fair share under a future global climate agreement. This agreement should take effect at the start of 2013 when the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period will have expired.
5. The Copenhagen Accord reached in December 2009 represents a step towards such an agreement. The EU is pressing for a global deal that is ambitious, comprehensive and legally binding.

Answer 2

The UK, as an industrialized nation, is certainly contributing to it, though not as much as China, the United States, and India. The UK ranks 9th in carbon emissions, a little less than 1.75% of the global amount.

Answer 3

The United Kingdom, like all advanced economies, contributes to anthropogenic global warming by burning fossil fuels for transport and electricity generation. Some in the United Kingdom believe that proposed attempts to minimise the nation's greenhouse gas emissions are not justified if they could result in any reduction in economic activity. Scientists counter that the dramatic effects predicted from continued global warming will be far more harmful to the British economy than any loss of income resulting from taking action.

Answer 4

The United Kingdom is already a leader in tackling greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating that taking action essential to the longer term survival of ourt society does not have to come at the cost of economic disadvantage in the short term. It has a goal of reducing its emissions by 50 per cent by the year 2025, although a proportion of this could result from international carbon credit trades. The Climate Change Act 2008 mandates that by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions will be 80 per cent below the 1990 baseline.

A report has concluded that the food chain (which would include transport) accounts for 20 per cent of Britain's greenhouse gas emissions, rising to 30 per cent if land use changes are considered. The agriculture sector accounts for 38 per cent of Britain's methane emissions, mainly from livestock and manure. But

a new study claims to have discovered an animal feed composition which can reduce methane emissions from cattle by as much as 30 per cent. Another option would be to change consumption patterns towards chicken, pork and kangaroo meat.

Individuals have to play their part by reducing electricity consumption and motor vehicle use. Simple things like replacing incandescent light bulbs by high efficiency bulbs can help.

Answer 5

The climate would be different in different parts of the UK. Scotland is further north and it has a lot of mountains, so it does get colder weather than the southern part of England for example.

Answer 6

• Governments are trying to combat climate change by offering tax incentives to people who install solar panels and solar hot water. They are also passing laws to encourage cleaner air from vehicles and industry. Companies pay extra tax if they emit excess carbon dioxide.
• Companies know that customers want non polluting products. They also want to avoid paying for the true cost of carbon emissions. Many are making changes already to move to renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint.