§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what strategic measures he is taking to allow for environmental changes induced by climate change. [137180]
470W
§ Mr. MeacherWe published our first assessment of the impacts of climate change in 1990, and our second in 1995. In 1997, my Department established the UK Climate Impacts Programme to help organisations assess their vulnerability to climate change and assist them in planning responses to adapt to it. In addition actions have already been taken by Government to build adaptation into its own policies, in sectors such as flood defence, land use planning and water resources.
The Government's forthcoming Climate Change Programme, which presents a strategy for delivering our commitments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, also considers how the UK might adapt to what is now unavoidable and continues the debate on priorities for adaptation.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with other Governments concerning action to reduce the harmful effects of climatic change and global warming, in advance of the Hague summit in November; and if he will make a statement. [138069]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government have continued to play a leading role in the international response to climate change. The Conference of the Parties in The Hague later this month will be a crucial step towards our goal of effective international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In recent months, the Deputy Prime Minister has discussed climate change with Governments from 14 countries, including China, India, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Algeria, Malaysia and Jamaica, as well as with the Prime Minister of Japan and Vice-President Al Gore. On 7 November, the Deputy Prime Minister and I attended the Special EU Environment Council on climate change. I discuss climate change regularly with my EU colleagues, and take the opportunity of raising it whenever I meet Environment Ministers from around the world. In June and October I also attended preparatory meetings organised by the President of the forthcoming negotiations, Minister Jan Pronk of the Netherlands, in Warsaw and Muiden. These informal consultations were attended by around 30-40 Ministers from key countries in the climate negotiations. Discussions focused on the central issues in the negotiations and a range of possible options for resolving them, in advance of the key political choices which will have to be taken at The Hague summit.