UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman addresses the Adaptation Sub-Committee following their report on the country’s current readiness for climate change. This report provides the first national assessment of how well-prepared the UK is to cope with the impacts of climate change through adopting measures to adapt to the predicted changes. Caroline Spelman said the report was a ‘wake-up’ call for us all. Source: DEFRA

UK Environment Minister Richard Benyon visits East Anglia to see at first-hand how coastal erosion is changing the shape of eastern England’s coastline. Source: DEFRA

The UK Government has overturned the ban on local councils selling renewable electricity. Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has announced that councils across Britain will from 18th August be allowed to sell renewable electricity to the grid and should assume their rightful place leading a local power revolution. At present only 0.01% of electricity in England is generated by local authority-owned renewables, despite the scope that exists to install projects on their land and buildings. In Germany the equivalent figure is 100 times higher. Source: DECC

UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne announces the launch of the first Annual Energy Statement. He commented: “Our actions must be informed by the best information about the future. That is why I am publishing our work on 2050 energy pathways, which has been worked up in consultation with industry, scientists, engineers and economists. We are making the data and analysis available and we are inviting comments over the summer. We want to start a grown-up debate about what a low-carbon future will look like and the best way of achieving it”. Source: DECC

Our natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, our health and our wellbeing. As a result, protecting the environment and enhancing biodiversity is one of Defra’s top 3 priorities. Here UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman launches a discussion document on the new Natural Environment White Paper. Source: DEFRA