§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to reduce methane being released into the atmosphere.
§ Mr. TrippierThe sources of methane emissions to the atmosphere are diverse. Some are natural, some man-made. Our understanding of the contribution from different sources and the way methane behaves in the atmosphere require further research, which is now under way. The Department of Energy has a programme to promote the use of landfill methane as an energy source.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the relative impact of(a) methane and (b) chlorofluorocarbon gases on global warming.
§ Mr. TrippierThe relative importance of all the major greenhouse gases for global warming in the past, at present and in the future is discussed in detail in the booklet "Global Climate Change", published by the Department in association with the Meteorological Office in October. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.