Understanding the urgent need to act now, the UK has become a global leader in the fight against climate change. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband – formerly Environment Secretary – has made climate change a central pillar of the UK's foreign policy, calling it “the greatest challenge facing the world today” in a landmark speech on climate, security, and international relations. John Ashton, an experienced diplomat and climate negotiator, serves as the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative on Climate Change, or, more informally, “climate ambassador.”

In this spirit, the overall common objective of the UK is to encourage immediate action and promote climate security in all areas of the world. The UK actively supports the establishment of mutually beneficial energy partnerships with China, India, and Brazil, among others.

Britain is committed to a low-carbon, high growth global economy. Failing to act on climate change will lead to devastating economic impacts; conversely, moving to an energy-efficient, clean fuels future will generate jobs and prevent the waste of resources and money.

The UK's efforts to address climate change have gone hand in hand with economic growth. Between 1990 and 2005, the UK economy grew by over 30% while greenhouse gas emissions fell by over 12%. The landmark Stern Review of the Economic Impacts of Climate Change found that under conservative assumptions, the overall costs and risks of doing nothing will be equivalent to losing 5% of global GDP each year, while the costs of action could be limited to 1% of global GDP each year.

The UK is the first counrty in the world to set legally binding, long-term national targets: the Climate Change Bill that became law in November will lower Britain’s emissions of all six greenhouse gases by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020 (30% contingent on a robust post-Kyotot agreement) and 80% by 2050. This goal was increased from an original 60% target in response to new scientific review by the Committee on Climate Change.  The cost of meeting this goal will equal 1% to 2% of the nation's total GDP by 2050 - the equivalent of losing six months' growth over 50 years against a backdrop in which wealth has tripled.

In October, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband responded to the notion that the financial crisis should prevent us from acting on the climate crisis:

"In our view, it would be quite wrong to row back and those who say we should misunderstand the relationship between the economic and environmental tasks we face.

"Of course there are trade-offs but there are also common solutions to both: for example, energy-saving measures for households which cuts bills and emissions, such as those announced in September by my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister. Or investment in new environmental industries which both improve our energy security and reduce our dependence on polluting fuels...

"So, far from retreating from our objectives, we should reaffirm our resolve."