Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns experienced over a long period of time often caused by human -induced activities. Rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, such as methane, create a 'greenhouse effect' in the atmosphere, trapping the sun's energy and causing the earth, and in particular the oceans, to warm.
The Climate Change Act, as amended in 2019, sets a binding target to reduce the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, placing a duty on public sector organisations to reduce emissions while adapting to climate change.
The Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 later passed increases the UK’s commitment to a 100% reduction in emissions by 2050.
Why climate change is an urgent issue?
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing society today. Its impacts are already affecting communities through increased flooding, extreme heat, drought, biodiversity loss, risks to public health, and rising economic and social inequalities. To effectively respond to climate change in Folkestone & Hythe District, both mitigation and adaptation are required. Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit future warming, while adaptation helps communities, infrastructure, ecosystems and services become more resilient to the impacts of climate change that are already occurring and are expected to intensify in the future.