Defra has outlined in a new note how it is using science and technology to tackle climate change.

The note gives a snapshot of the science and technology Defra funds to monitor and predict how the UK climate is changing, and to reduce and cope with the consequences that a changing climate will bring.

In 2004-05, Defra spent more than £15.6 million on research into climate change, from funding analysis of the trends in the climate system to studying the effects of changing temperatures and rainfall on the tourism industry.

The new note presents the science behind an important area of interest to Defra in a way that is accessible and easily understood by non-specialists.

Climate change is one of the UK's main priorities for its current presidency of the European Union (EU), which runs from July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. It is also a priority for the current presidency of G8 (Group of eight nations), which the UK holds until January 2006.

For more information, visit www.defra.gov.uk

Topics