UK Expecting to Show a 23% Decrease in Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Next Year

World Environment Day 2009. Stock Image.

LONDON- The United Kingdom is on track to almost double its greenhouse gas reduction obligations under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, according to a new report by the country’s Department of Energy and Climate Change given to the United Nations.

The report’s findings predict that by 2010, the country’s greenhouse emissions will be 23 percent below levels recorded in 1990, “well in excess of the target of 12.5 percent set out under the Kyoto agreement.”

The report to the UN outlines the policies and programs that the UK has put in place, including:

• the Climate Change Act of 2008.
• energy efficiency programs.
• emissions targets for road vehicles, aviation, and industry in Europe.

“Our latest report shows what can be achieved when government, communities, and businesses work together to reduce emissions. We know that individual actions account for more than 40 percent of emissions, so I would urge people around the country to use World Environment Day (today) as a chance to assess their own impact on the environment, and take steps to reduce their individual carbon footprint,” said Joan Ruddock, UK Climate Change Minster.

In addition, to help further promote public awareness about climate change, the UK government will soon launch a new website containing information on what it hopes to achieve with a global deal at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Dec. 6-18, 2009. Further, the site will contain links to other websites where citizens can sign a number of pledges calling on world governments to work together on the issues.

To promote the website, Ed Miliband, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, will participate in The Isle of Wight Festival, June 12-14 held at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Mr. Miliband is expected to “broadcast to festival-goers from the main stage throughout the event, encouraging people to visit the website and signup to campaign to reach a global deal,” according to the DECC.

A more comprehensive look at the UK’s climate change initiatives and goals can be found in “The UK’s Fifth National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change.”