§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their long-term plans for a co-ordinated approach to combating the globally adverse economic and social effects of existing levels of carbon emissions; and whether taxation policies, investment in energy conservation, effective encouragement of renewable energy resources and support for research into the conversion of solar radiation into electricity will be part of such plans. [HL3373]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)As a result of existing levels of emissions, all countries will need to adapt to the effects of climate change. The UK is playing an active part in discussions about adaptation under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. At present, the priority for most countries is to assess their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and to begin preparing for adaptation. Funding is available for these purposes through the Global Environment Facility. Further funds for adaptation will become available from the clean development mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. The Government are also encouraging developing countries to take into account climate change impacts when considering their future development needs.
The Government believe that developed countries should take the lead in taking action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Programmes are likely to provide for more sustainable use of energy resources, research and investment into low carbon technologies, development of renewable sources of energy and the introduction of fiscal incentives that encourage people and organisations to be more energy efficient. Policies like these will have a significant role to play in any long-term response to climate change and were included in the UK's draft climate change programme which was published in March 2000. The final programme will be published later this year.