How the UK Government is responding to climate change

Tony ClemsonHead of Climate Change Section

British Embassy, Seoul

CLIMATE 1000 - 2100AD

Source:IPCC 2000

INCREASING DESTRUCTION AND DISASTERS

• Number of weather related disasters: 1900 – 1909 = 71 1990 - 1999 = 2711 2006 = 396

UN Intl. Strategy for Disaster Reduction

• Korea: Top 20 Weather related disasters: 5% (1920s), 5%(1950s), 40%(1980s), 45% ( 1990s)

Prof. Jae-Yeong Jang, Ajou University from Min. Govt. Admin. & Home Affairs, Annual Disaster Rpt 2001

Climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather events that cause direct damage to human life and property. Such extreme weather events are already having a growing economic impact.

What are the economic costs of climate change?

Health and well-being

• Heatwaves• Disease

– one quarter of all deaths, globally, due to environmental causes

– 36% of all child deaths (under 14 years) attributed to the environment

– 85% of major diseases related to environmental factors

• Floods, droughts - malnutrition, diarrhea

A Multiplier for Instability

Water Scarcity Migration Crop Decline Hunger Coastal Risks Recent Conflicts

No longer just an environmental issue…

• Long term sustainable economic growth• Energy security• Foreign policy and national security• International development • Health and Well-being• Moral responsibility

UK Government Actions

• Kyoto target of 12.5% reduction– On target for 23%

• Public awareness campaigns - “Act on CO2”

• ￡ 800 million fund for developing countries • Investment in renewable energy and energy

efficiency

Key Provisions of the Climate Change Bill

• Puts into statute a reduction of CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050.

• Five-year carbon budgets setting binding limits on CO2 emissions

• Environmental, technological, economic, fiscal, social and international factors must be taken into account

• Emission reductions purchased overseas may be counted towards the UK’s targets

Energy White Paper- key measures

• Triple electricity supplies from renewables by 2015. • Encourage more local and micro-generation.• Commercial demonstration of carbon capture and storage –

potential 90% reduction of CO2

• Doubling the current requirement for energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to households.

• A cap and trade carbon reduction scheme for businesses like banks and supermarkets.

• Demanding targets for the energy efficiency standards of new products.

Conclusions

• Climate change is not fair - it hits the poorest hardest

• But, it affects us all - our economy, health, society

• We are responsible

• We can all make a difference

Thank you!

Email: tony.clemson@fco.gov.uk

tel: 02 3210 5537