§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of likely sea level rises in East Anglia in(a) 2020 and (b) 2050 as a result of temperature increases; and if he will make a statement. [36024]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Department's climate change impacts review group has recently provided an independent review of the impact of climate change on the UK. In its report "A Review of the Potential Effects of Climate change on the UK," sea level is projected to rise by 12 to 19cm by 2020 and 23 to 37cm by 2050. Sea level rise in East Anglia will be exacerbated by the effect of land sinking. Allowing for this, a sea level rise of up to 50cm can be expected by 2050.
We recognise that climate change is a global problem which all countries have a responsibility to address. The UK is on course to go further than the commitment that we made under the UN framework convention on climate change to return emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
At the second conference of the parties to the FCCC in Geneva on 8 to 19 July 1996, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be urging 105W developed countries to honour their commitments and also to reduce emissions by 5 to 10 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.