DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref:
115/07) issued by The Government News Network on 23 April 2007
A major new
campaign that aims to help individuals cut their personal CO2
emissions has today been backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair and
Environment Secretary David Miliband.
The Climate Group's We're In This Together Campaign
brings businesses, Government and communities together, and
provides practical ideas for how individuals can reduce their CO2 footprint.
The Prime Minister and Mr Miliband attended the launch of the
campaign in London today, where eight major businesses set out
steps they are taking to help people reduce emissions.
The Prime Minister and Mr Miliband stressed that the campaign
would complement the Government's drive to tackle climate
change both domestically and internationally.
The Prime Minister said:
"I fully support this inspiring and groundbreaking campaign.
The Government will continue to give a lead in tackling climate
change both at home and internationally to reduce emissions
globally. By working together - as individuals, businesses and
nations - we can meet this challenge and safeguard our way of life
and our planet."
David Miliband said:
"Climate change doesn't discriminate. Whether
you're a business, a Government, or an individual, it is a
threat to us all and therefore a challenge for us all. "I
believe that collectively we can meet this challenge and the
Government fully supports the campaign being launched today.
"As part of the wider effort, Government also has to empower
individuals to make the right choices to reduce their CO2
footprint, influence other nations to join the global fight
against climate change, and get its own house in order.
"We are absolutely committed to tackling climate change on
all these fronts and are putting in place the policies to deliver
on this."
Steps the Government is taking to help individuals reduce their
CO2 footprint include:
* A new CO2 calculator - due to be launched later this spring, it
will enable individuals to calculate their personal CO2 footprint
and provide suggestions for the action they need to take to reduce
it. The Climate Group will help trial the calculator.
* Assistance to help people in fuel poverty insulate their homes
and install more energy efficient boilers - 1.3 million households
have been helped with this so far.
* £3 billion in energy improvements for households since 2001 -
through the obligation for energy companies to provide efficiency
improvements for their customers, including low-energy light
bulbs, insulation, and high-efficiency appliances and boilers.
* Phasing out inefficient light bulbs and removing inefficient
white goods from the market.
* Introducing energy audits for homes and businesses - The Energy
Saving Trust has carried out 4.5 million home energy checks since
1993, with 450,000 in 2006 alone. The Carbon Trust has given
practical advice and tailored support to approximately 10,000
businesses through energy audits, carbon management services and
energy efficiency loans.
* Engaging the public - an Act on CO2 campaign has been launched
to help make individuals more "CO2 literate", part of
this will be an Act on CO2 deal which will set out how the
Government and individuals can work together to reduce CO2
emissions, to be discussed at a forthcoming citizens' summit.
* Introducing a code of best practice for offsetting - this will
enable people to make informed choices about the most effective
offsetting products on the market.
The steps Government is taking to improve its own record and that
of the wider public sector include:
* Making Government buildings more energy efficient - by ensuring
buildings and products procured by Government are energy efficient.
* Low carbon schools - every secondary school in the country is
being rebuilt and refurbished and, as part of this, £110 million
over the next three years will go into helping them reduce their
CO2 emissions, in some cases up to carbon neutrality.
* Using low-carbon technologies - many government departments are
now piloting energy efficient lighting and phasing out inefficient
light bulbs and there is an increasing use of renewable energy,
including biomass boilers, solar panels and wind turbines, in
Government offices.
* Reducing the environmental impact of Government travel - all
air travel by ministers and officials is already being offset and
we have committed to reduce CO2 emissions from road vehicles and
to lead the way in reducing CO2 emissions from the Government car fleet.
All this action is backed up by a new Climate Change Bill that
will lay the foundations for moving the UK to a low carbon
economy. The bill, which has been published in draft for
consultation, sets out a series of clear targets for reducing
carbon dioxide emissions - including making the UK's targets
for a 60 percent reduction by 2050 and a 26 to 32 percent
reduction by 2020 legally binding. Notes to editors
1. The Climate Group is an independent, non-profit organisation
dedicated to accelerating the international uptake of corporate
and government best practice in emissions reduction. More details
of the group and the We're In This Together Campaign can be
accessed at http://www.together.com
2. Slides showing the current artwork designs for the
Government's CO2 calculator can be accessed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070423a-visuals.pdf.
Please note that the calculator is currently under development and
this information is provided for illustrative purposes only.
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