CEEAC

International Legislation

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty on climate change, assigning mandatory emission limitations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nations. More information as well as the full text of the Kyoto Protocol can be foiund on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website.

National Legislation

Home Energy Conservation Act (1995)

The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 requires all local authorities to report annually on achievements made towards a target of a 30% reduction in domestic energy use by 2010. The lastest reports can be found here.

CERT

The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target comes into force in April 2008 and runs until 2011. Utility companies are required to make massive energy savings by helping householders to improve their energy efficiency.  Over the 3 year programme it is estimated that £2.5 billion will subsidise the installation of energy efficiency measures. It is this type of funding that is often used to help local authorities deliver large insulation schemes such as Improving Cumbria's Energy.

Energy White Paper

The 2007 Energy White Paper sets out the government's strategy on energy. It commits to cut carbon dioxide emissions both within the UK and abroad by some 60% by about 2050; to ensure secure, clean and affordable energy; and to ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated.

Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act (2000)

The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 requires all local authorities to create and implement a strategy to eradicate fuel poverty in their designated area. Fuel poverty is understood to be when the cost of keeping a home warm to World Health Organisation Standards is more than 10% of the income of the household. There are over 1.5 million homes in the UK in fuel poverty.

Regional Legislation 

Climate change strategy

‘Rising to the Challenge' is the climate change action plan for the Northwest. This Action Plan sets out a vision for the region and outlines the associated outcomes to be achieved by 2020. The plan focuses on reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change that are now unavoidable.

Climate Strategies

Cumbria County Council's Sustainability Strategy describes a range of actions to help deliver key priorities on the Council's corporate policy to "protect and enhance the environment". The Strategy sets out how corporate priorities on sustainability will be taken forward within the community and within the Council itself.