Reducing the risk of climate change (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B): Revision Note

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The notes on this page cover part 2.4.5 of the WJEC Eduqas GCSE B Geography.

2.4.5 What role can individuals and government in the UK play in reducing the risk of climate change?

• How individuals can play a part in reducing the risk of climate change.

• How and why local and national UK government may attempt to reduce the risk of climate change.

The role of individuals in reducing climate change risk

• There are many actions that individuals can take to reduce energy use and conserve resources or use energy more efficiently, including:

  • Reduce car use by using public transport, walking or cycling

  • Insulating walls and roof spaces

  • Buy energy-efficient (AAA rated) appliances such as washing machines

  • Don't leave electrical items on standby

  • Install double or triple-glazing

  • Install heat exchange

  • Turn the thermostat down and wear more layers

  • Install solar panels 

The UK government and attempts to reduce climate change risk

• The UK is responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

• It is signed up to both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement

• There are several steps the UK has taken to mitigate future climate change

• The UK passed the Climate Change Act (2008), which:

  • Sets out ways in which the UK can adapt to climate change

  • Commits to cutting emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 (since changed to 100%)

  • Requires the government to set carbon budgets to gradually reduce greenhouse gas emission

National mitigation

• The Net Zero Strategy (2021) sets out how the government plans to reduce emissions by 100%. It includes:

  • Funding for electrification of UK vehicles to support the ban on sales of new hybrid and petrol/diesel cars by 2035

  • Development of sustainable aviation fuel 

  • Carbon capture in north-east and north-west England

  • An investment of £1.5 billion in green technology research and innovation   

  • Investment in heat pumps to replace gas and oil boilers for heating

  • Trebling woodland creation to create 30,000 hectares of new woodland

  • Encouraging walking, cycling and using public transport instead of private cars

Local mitigations

• Many councils have plans for reducing carbon emissions

• Bristol City Council has a One City Climate Strategy; this includes:

  • Connecting 65,000 buildings to district heat networks to supply heat and hot water

  • Pedestrianisation of areas within the city and improvements to pavements and cycle paths

  • School streets which are closed to non-essential vehicles to reduce emissions around schools

  • Improvements in public transport including a metro-bus scheme

  • Maximise renewable energy use within the city, including investment in solar and wind farm schemes

    • The Solar Together Scheme is one example of this investment, reducing the cost of solar energy