Despite much public debate the evidence is unequivocal - the global climate has been warming over the past century. We have seen an increase in air and sea temperatures, an increase in sea levels and shrinking of ice caps, glaciers, and snow cover.

Our ever increasing use of energy is the principal contributor to the increased production of green house gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2). The energy used to heat our homes, make the products, or provide the services we buy mainly comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil.

Mitigation is about reducing these harmful emissions. We need to reduce emissions from energy production through developing and exploiting new technologies. The way we travel, manage waste and forestry are also are key factors in reducing green house gas emissions. Through the Climate Change Act 2008 the UK has world leading and binding targets to reduce our carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Citizens, business and the public sector will need to display behaviour change to reduce their use of valuable resources.