DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Overviews of official agreements and copies of publications regarding to international, national and local responses to climate change.
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On this page you will a summary of some agreements and policies that are already in place as well as downloadable documents.
Click the download symbol below to view a copy of each agreement or click find out more for further information.
If you have any specific queries about any of these or additional policies, please contact us.
THE PARIS AGREEMENT
United Nations, COP 21, Paris, 2015
WHAT IS THE PARIS AGREEMENT?
The Paris Agreement was reached in 2015 at the United National Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP 21). It was a historical landmark as it was the first time that all state members agreed to undertake efforts to globally combat climate change.
WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT?
The agreement aims to limit the global temperature rise this century to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with ambition to limit this further to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius as we move towards 2030. It also aims to financially support countries to deal with the impact of climate change and align investment with lower greenhouse gas emissions, with particular support for developing nations. All parties agree to report emissions and meet ‘nationally determined contributions’ and the agreement offers a framework for this reporting.
WHO HAS SIGNED THE PARIS AGREEMENT?
In 2016, 55 countries representing 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions signed the agreement, which was the threshold for the treaty to come into force. Now in 2020, 188 Parties out of 197 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are Parties to the Paris Agreement. Sadly, as of 4th November 2020, this now does not include the United States of America, who represent around 15% of global emissions. However there is still hope they could re-join!
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
United Nations, 2015
WHAT IS THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a framework adopted by all Member States of the United Nations in 15 for peace and prosperity the future of all people whilst tackling climate change and protecting the natural world around us. It is centred around 17 Sustainable Development Goals to achieve by 2030.
WHAT ARE THE 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS?
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE 2020 PROGRESS REPORT TO PARLIAMENT: REDUCING UK EMISSIONS
UK Government, June 2020
WHAT IS THIS REPORT?
This report is an annual report published in June 2020 by the UK government detailing progress in reducing UK emissions and assessing the government’s climate change mitigation activities. This year’s report particularly focusses on a green recovery that is needed following the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHAT ARE THE KEY FINDINGS?
Investment priorities will be given to: low-carbon buildings and energy efficient improvements; tree planting and peatland restoration; strengthening energy networks; improvements to infrastructure to encourage home working, walking and cycling; an increasingly circular economy; retraining programmes; positive behaviours; and science and innovation.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
DOWNLOADS
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE 2020 PROGRESS REPORT TO PARLIAMENT: REDUCING UK EMISSIONS
Source: UK Government web page (Accessed 05.11.20)