Climate change
What climate change means for Plymouth
Most scientists agree that there is a link between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global warming. Climate change and global warming can be hard to relate to as we go about our everyday life, but for the past few years in the south west, we had to put up with more extreme weather events that have devastated homes, schools and businesses.
In order to lessen the effects of climate change we all need to change the way we use energy and be less power hungry (carbon management). Action needs to be taken at all levels – Governments, local authorities, businesses and individuals all need to play their part and crucially in these times of recession, the money saved can be spent on other crucial services.
Climate Change Act 2008
Nationally, the Climate Change Act 2008 set the legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Plymouth exceeds these targets, but we can't afford to be complacent. In 2008 the Council set out the ambitious target of reducing Plymouth’s overall carbon footprint to
- 20 per cent by 2013
- 60 per cent by 2020
- 80 per cent by 2050
We know from scientific evidence that we are now counting the climate change costs of the last 50 years and that reducing the impacts will take a further 50 years.
Risks
The risks for Plymouth associated with climate change and energy use, include:
- Flooding through rising sea levels
- Hotter dryer summers
- Milder wetter winters
- Increase frequency of extreme weather events such as heat waves
- Heavy rain storms
What's happening across the city?
A climate change action plan has been published for Plymouth, which sets out the steps that we will need to take to limit the impact of climate change. We want to keep our low carbon footprint and improve on it. We need to determine as a city why our carbon footprint is what it is. Once this baseline has been established further action will be required to lower it year by year.
Acting on Climate Change [3MB] Climate Change Framework [555KB]Have your say
We would like your views on climate change. Complete the Climate Change Survey on the consultation portal.