Kate SmithDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

United Kingdom

www.brdo-co2nference.net

Act on CO2

Kate Smith

Public Engagement Team

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

United Kingdom

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Climate change awareness and business opportunities

• Surveying consumer attitudes

• Climate Change Communications Initiative

• ‘Act on CO2’ campaign

– Partnerships

– Carbon calculator

– Code of best practice for carbon offsetting

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Know your audience

• People are more aware of climate change than ever before

• 97% are aware

• 81% are concerned about the impact of climate change in the UK

• People care about climate change and are prepared to take responsibility to change their lifestyle

• 76% agree they personally contribute to CO2 emissions

• 60% claim to already be taking personal action to limit climate change

• But they are confused about how they cause climate change and how they can have an impact

• Only 26% feel that they can personally have an influence on limiting climate change

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Climate Change Communications Initiative

• Aim: to change attitudes in a positive way so people are

ready to take action

• Climate Challenge Fund

– 83 projects

– £8.5m over 18 months

• Youth Champions

• Tools

– www.climatechallenge.gov.uk

– 2 ‘filler’ films

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www.climatechallenge.gov.uk

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Climate Challenge Fund

Bradford City Council

Raising awareness in ethnic minority businesses

Sheffield Galleries ‘Whatever the weather’

Ipswich Council ‘Save your energy for the Blues’

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‘Act on CO2’

• Aim: Increase awareness and understanding of the relationship between

climate change and CO2

• Supporting the individual’s ability to impact the problem

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Partnerships

• Department for Transport

• Other organisations will be able to

support the Act on CO2 campaign

• Climate Group

• ‘Together’ campaign

– Don’t lecture

– Make it easier

– Be credible

– Collaborate

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www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2

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Code of best practice for selling carbon offsetting

The market

• Accurate calculation of emissions to be offset

• Robust credits for offsetting

• Timescales for cancelling credits

The consumer

• Clear information for consumers

• Transparent pricing

• Encouraging consumer take-up

Kate Smith Defra

Kate.i.smith@defra.gsi.gov.uk

+44 (0)20 7238 4779