I am pleased to announce that the Government and the devolved Administrations have today published the "UK Climate Change Programme 2006", to update the programme that we introduced in 2000.The UK has one of the best records of any country in tackling greenhouse gas emissions, and we have already met our Kyoto target for 2010. The programme sets out the Government's commitments at international and domestic levels to meet the challenge of climate change. It also sets out our approach to strengthening the role that individuals can play. Progress in all three areas is regarded by the Government as essential.Our review over the past eighteen months has evaluated how effective our existing policies have been and analysed a range of possible new policies to contribute towards our national climate change goals. We are introducing a range of policies to strengthen our domestic delivery. Among these are measures to support increased generation from renewable sources, encourage the installation of energy efficiency measures in households, provide more reliable consumer product information, support more sustainable transport choices, introduce higher standards for efficiency in buildings and finance energy efficiency measures for public sector organisations.Today we are also consulting on the draft of the "UK's National Allocation Plan" for the second phase of the EU emissions trading scheme. The scheme is a central element of the energy supply and business sectors' contribution to our policies to tackle climate change. It will be used to make a significant contribution to our national emissions reduction target.These policies are expected to reduce the UK's emissions of the basket of greenhouse gases to 23–25 per cent. below base year levels, around twice our commitment to reduce emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. It is also expected to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions to 15–18 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. The review, and policies introduced already, could reduce carbon emissions by 7–12MtC by 2010. This would take the Government close to their domestic target of a 20 per cent. reduction by 2010. The Government still believe that the UK can achieve this target. This is an on-going process and the Government will in future report annually to Parliament on emissions, future plans and progress on the domestic climate change agenda. We believe we can reach the 20 per cent. target with support from all sections of the economy and society, not least by the collective action of individuals.At international level, we will maintain our leadership role, and build on progress achieved through the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, the European Union and the Montreal Climate Change Conference. Our aim is to secure agreement to the action and long-term goal needed to establish an effective future international regime to tackle climate change. As part of this, in partnership with the European Union, we will enhance our efforts to help India, China and other developing countries evolve as low carbon economies.Copies of this document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament and of Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly Government, and Northern Ireland Assembly. Copies can also be found at DEFRA's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/pubs/ukccp/index.htm and the TSO offices.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2006-03-28a.57WS.2