Energy – how we provide it and use it is at the heart of the climate change debate. Since 1990 the average global temperature has risen by 0.2^oC. The concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has risen by more than 7% – and it continues to rise.

The past year – 2007 – has been a pivotal one for climate change.

February
The European Union published its vision: “20 20 by 2020”, which aims to achieve 20% energy savings and 20% renewable energy provision across Europe by 2020, which was approved by the EU Council in March.

November
The UK Government published its Climate Change Bill, which sets out a framework to help with the transition to a low-carbon economy. It incorporates clear, legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60% by 2050, and 26 to 32% by 2020, against 1990 levels. The Bill provides a pathway to achieve those reductions through a system of five year carbon budgets set fifteen years ahead, which are intended to provide a degree of certainty for investors.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which last year was awarded a Nobel Prize, published its fourth assessment, “The Synthesis Report” in November 2007. This definitive report is clear - to limit the adverse impact of climate change, including risks to vulnerable ecosystems and populations, global emissions need to peak soon and decline rapidly. The report concluded that it is economically and technically feasible to make significant reductions in emissions. It states that the extent of mitigation efforts over the next two decades will determine how far risks are reduced, avoided or delayed.

The Scottish Government published ambitious renewable energy targets – to meet half of the nation’s energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020, with an interim target of 31% by 2011. Plans are now under way to consult on a Scottish Climate Change Bill.

The UK Government launched the Near Zero Emissions Coal Initiative with China, a major developer of coal generation, to share knowledge and expertise of clean coal technologies. Initiatives like these will be crucial in tackling climate change as coal’s share of the generation markets globally is predicted to rise to 43% by 2030. For more information visit the website at: www.nzec.info.

December
An important breakthrough was achieved in December at the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali. All the world’s countries signed up to a roadmap for achieving a global climate deal by the end of 2009, in an unprecedented show of international co-operation.  For more information see the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change website.

John Campbell, Impact Leader