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Sustainability: Energy & Climate Change

The effects of a changing climate can already be seen. Temperatures and sea levels are rising, ice and snow cover are declining, and the consequences could be catastrophic for the natural world and society. Scientific evidence points to the release of greenhouse gases - such as carbon dioxide and methane - into the atmosphere by human activity as the primary cause of climatic change.

We need to secure a profound change in the way we generate and use energy, and in other activities that release these gases. We must set a good example and encourage others to follow it.

There is increasing recognition that the long-term target for a 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 will not be sufficient to avoid 'dangerous Climate Change'. It is also clear that Climate Change is not a 'long-term' problem that can be deferred for future generations to deal with.

Climate Change impacts are already being observed and the threat to global populations and ecosystems is real and immediate. This target may have to increase and the measures the Government has taken to link this process to the wider international context will be the way forward.

Climate Change impacts are already being observed and action is needed in the short-term to set us on the path to achieving the longer-term targets. Whilst setting shorter term targets will assist initially, these should be designed to achieve ambitious cuts in emissions over the next 15 or so years, consistent with a precautionary approach and designed to exemplify the UK's leadership role on this issue. Current methods of dealing with Climate Change are incompatible with the scale of the task at hand. Climate Change is a cross-departmental issue with huge implications for all areas of public policy.