Policy Hub
On 1 April 2005, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRAC) published a report (Climate Change: looking forward), which calls for the creation of a new post of 'Minister for Climate Change', to ensure that climate change issues are put at the very heart of government.
The report shows that, while many government departments say they are contributing to the objective of dealing with the climate change agenda, not all of them are working together as effectively as they should be, to achieve the overall aims of the Government policies in this area.
The report suggests that the government should also use the current review of the UK Climate Change Programme as an opportunity to toughen up measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although the Government aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010, the report notes that forecasts suggest it is badly off track. Therefore the Committee suggests that government policies should focus on quick and easy gains such as installing insulation and energy-saving light-bulbs to reduce greenhouse gases and raise public awareness.
The full report can be viewed on the Parliament website