UK expertise to drive global climate change action?

The UK is to use its world-leading climate and adaptation expertise to help countries successfully tackle climate change.

To launch the programme, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey hosted a round table with representatives from government departments and the UK’s leading organisations at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The group’s aim is to create a flexible package that brings together the UK’s wide-ranging expertise, tailored to meet the needs of developing countries adapting to climate change.

Davey said: "The UK is a global leader in tackling climate change and the major threat it poses to our prosperity and security.

"With the crunch climate talks in Paris just months away, the world needs every ounce of expertise and effort available if we are to limit temperature rises and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

"That is why I want to bring together the UK’s wide ranging climate service expertise so we can assist other nations in dealing with the impacts of climate change."

Climate services are becoming increasingly important across the world, driven by the growing awareness of our vulnerablitity to weather events and acceptance of the current and future impacts of climate change.

Examples include the Met Office using its world class expertise to improve seasonal forecasting in Africa and the Environment Agency’s Climate Ready Support Service, which provides advice and information to UK businesses, the public sector and other organisations on adapting to climate change.