We are the generation that can make a difference

10:20am Friday 6th June 2008

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"I AM delighted that The Northern Echo is running a special green edition and thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute.

These days, we are increasingly aware of the impact of human activity on this small and fragile planet of ours.

We have to change the way we live and the way we do business. That means nothing less than low-carbon revolution

Hilary Benn

The scientific evidence is clearer and stronger than ever before. We know that our actions are changing our climate and we know that, even if we stopped all carbon emissions tomorrow, we would still be facing 30 to 40 years of unavoidable climate change.

And these effects won't only be happening somewhere else to someone else.

Here in the UK, we are already seeing more extreme and unexpected weather, and we need to act quickly to reduce our individual carbon footprints and adapt to the already inevitable impacts of climate change.

It sounds like a pretty tall order. And it's certainly not going to be simple.

But the truth is, we are the generation that can make a difference - and if we don't take on this great challenge, we will leave a huge problem for future generations.

It's going to take commitment and action from every one of us, whether we are politicians, business people, or members of the public going about our everyday lives.

We have to change the way we live and the way we do business. That means nothing less than a lowcarbon revolution.

In my job, my priority is to find things that will help us and put them into practice.

The Government's Climate Change Bill - the first of its kind in the world - will set clear binding targets to ensure we cut carbon emissions and have a longterm legal framework for moving to that low-carbon economy.

To manage our emissions, the Bill will introduce carbon budgets to the UK - and this is the truly groundbreaking point. As a nation, or as individuals, just as we need to live within our financial means so now we will be bound to live within our carbon means. If emissions are going up in one part of the economy, they will have to come down somewhere else.

This process will put the environment at the heart of every decision the Government makes. Every new policy will have to be judged against its carbon cost.

In the UK, we need to continue to show this imagination, drive and leadership. We must keep up the pressure, both in the EU and worldwide, to keep climate change at the forefront of our minds. We need to take action collectively, share our experiences and knowledge, and continue to lobby to change opinions.

We are already part of a Europe-wide scheme to help industries lower their emissions.

We ensure all energy companies help their customers save energy, and we are working with retailers and manufacturers to reduce the carbon footprint of products we all use in our day to day lives.

All these measures mean we are becoming greener, but we can't meet our targets with laws alone.

People are often surprised to learn that 40 per cent of the UK's emissions are the result of the choices we make as individuals, in our homes and in how we travel.

Because of this we want to enable people to make greener choices, and to ensure that our homes and products become greener too.

Last year, we launched an online carbon calculator - directgov.uk/actonco2 - and so far, we've received nearly one million visitors. This allows you to calculate your own carbon footprint and receive personalised advice on how to reduce it.

I've done it and I got my own tailor-made action plan, because each and every one of us can do more.

From this year, even more financial help is available, because we are requiring energy companies to spend about £1bn a year providing energy efficiency help for their customers, including installing insulation and upgrading boilers.

There are so many things we can all consider doing.

Many older houses need to be more energy efficient; they may need loft insulation, double glazing or cavity wall filling.

When we buy a new home, we should think about energy consumption. For example, how many products we leave on standby, simply eating power when they could be switched off.

And with rising fuel bills concerning so many families, the green pound can go further than ever.

If we all take a small step such as turning down our thermostats and putting on a jumper, turning off lights in empty rooms or looking at the energy efficiency ratings of new products we buy we can make a difference.

Our initiative with the lighting industry is a fantastic example of how a simple idea can have a huge impact.

The phase-out of energy inefficient light bulbs will save five million tonnes of CO2 from direct UK electricity generation each year from 2012 - the equivalent of closing down an average-sized coal-fired power station.

As you read this special issue of The Northern Echo, I'm sure you will see why making these changes is so important.

I hope it encourages you to take action in your own lives, and to see that you are not fighting this battle alone.

Ultimately, this a problem that the whole world needs to unite to solve.

With all of our individual efforts, let's send a message from the British people to the rest of the world to say: "I will if you will - so let's get on with this together."

* You can call the Act on CO2 advice line, on 0800-512-012. They can advise you on what to do, and put you in touch with people who can help with the costs