The UK is taking a leading role as the world works towards a global deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change to manageable levels.
2015 was an important year, and the talks in Paris culminated in a global deal, with every country in the world now signed up to play its part in halting climate change. Britain has already been leading the way, and will work towards reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
It's not satisfactory that the dirtiest fossil fuel, coal, is still a major part of our power generation. The UK will be one of the first developed countries to take coal out of the equation, with the recent announcement that all coal-fired power stations where carbon emissions aren't being captured and stored will be closed by 2025. The Government will build a new, clean energy infrastructure that is fit for the 21st century, based around gas, nuclear and renewables.
Britain is leading by example and the Government's Energy Act works towards decarbonising the UK's energy sector at the lowest possible cost to the consumer. It puts Britain firmly on track to meet the 2050 target to reduce emissions of all greenhouse gases by 80 per cent.
The Government also set up the International Climate Fund to provide £3.87 billion between 2011 and 2015 to help the world's poorest adapt to climate change and promote cleaner, greener economic growth. Through it, the UK works in partnership with developing countries to:
· reduce carbon emissions through promoting low carbon development;
·
help poor people protect themselves from the effects of climate change;
· reduce deforestation.
In addition, the UK supports efforts to integrate climate change policies into international development plans. The Prime Minister announced in September we would increase spending on international climate finance by 50 per cent over the next five years.
I hope that I have demonstrated the Government's continuing commitment to low carbon energy, and I look forward to seeing this carried forward.