Clegg and Huhne launch Government's action plan on climate change

Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne today launched the Government's Action Plan on climate change.

The cross-Government action plan on climate change sets out strict actions and deadlines for Whitehall to live up to its green ambitions, meet tough domestic carbon targets and encourage greater action internationally.

The Carbon Plan is published in draft today with the Government inviting the public and organisations to give their views on the contents. A final version will be published in the Autumn and then updated annually.

The draft Plan highlights three key changes that will be required across the UK economy, including the way electricity is generated, the way homes and businesses are heated and the way people travel.

Internationally, the plan sets out how the UK will work within the European Union and with other countries to promote ambitious action on climate change.

The Government also announced that at least 1,000 Green Deal apprentices aged 16 and over could receive Government funding towards their training.

Nick Clegg said:

"We want to be the greenest government ever. We will reshape the economy, change the way we power our transport, heat our homes, and generate our electricity. We must put the development of the green economy at the centre of our ambitions to rebalance the economy.

"The Green Deal is about the future - and it is important we ensure that future generations have the skills they need to take advantage of the opportunities of the green economy. These apprenticeships are a perfect example of how government and business can work together towards a low carbon future."