How is the UK Government adapting to the challenges posed by the threat of climate change? Several departments are involved: The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) runs the Climate Change Programme, the UK’s key strategy for tackling climate change.

DEFRA also published the Government's Climate Change Bill, which was introduced into Parliament in November 2007. It is expected to be passed by spring, or early summer, 2008.

The Office for Climate Change, set up by DEFRA, began work in September 2006; its aim is to provide a shared resource across government for analysis and development of climate change policy and strategy.

As part of the Government's Act on CO² campaign DEFRA produced a personal CO² calculator, which lets people work out their carbon footprint using Government-recognised data and calculations.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) concentrates on energy security and climate change.
 
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) - formerly the Department of Trade and Industry, leads on energy and energy supply and published an Energy White Paper in May 2007. You can also view information about energy sources, renewables and sustainable technologies on its website.

A new generation of nuclear power stations was announced by the Secretary of State on 10 January 2008.

The Department for Transport (DfT) concentrates on reducing the impact of travel on the environment. It has launched a CO² car ranking website, which encourages people to research the environmental impact of the type of car they're hoping to buy.

The Department for International Development (DfID) is overseeing a project on the effect of climate change on Africa.

Energy Saving Trust

The UK Government set up the Energy Saving Trust in 1993 to address the damaging effects of climate change. Its aim is to cut CO² emissions by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy.

Its member companies include BP, BG Group, Centrica, Johnson Matthey Catalysts, National Grid Transco, Northern Ireland Electricity, Powergen and Scottish and Southern Energy.

It works with households, consumers, drivers, small businesses and the public sector in the areas of energy efficiency, road transport and renewable energy. It encourages the use of cleaner fuels for transport and better insulation and heating efficiency for buildings and homes, and champions small-scale renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.

British Council

The British Council, which builds engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide, and is part-funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has established Climate Change as one of its three main areas of work.  Its main corporate objectives for the work done in Climate Change are: increase understanding of the case for tackling climate change; increase support for the achievement and implementation of international agreements that address the threats of climate change; strengthen relationships and networks which lead to action on climate change mitigation and adaptation.  In order to achieve these objectives the British Council has been developing a number of projects that aim to raise awareness and stimulate constructive action for tackling climate change, especially in the G8+5 countries. The Global programme 'Low Carbon Futures' runs a number of initiatives such as Climate Champions, which aims at identifying teenagers with leadership skills to communicate messages for the mitigation of Climate Change to the media and to policy makers.  Pilot programmes in Brazil, Canada and China have been gathering a powerful network of thousands of teachers, students, scientists and young professionals to embrace this cause and share knowledge and good practices with the UK.