Jersey proves it's cutting carbon emissions at Paris talks

Thursday 03 December 2015

Jersey’s work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is being highlighted at big talks in Paris this week to secure a global deal to stop “dangerous’ climate change.

World leaders are gathering in the French capital for crucial talks, after more than half a million people marched in demonstrations worldwide calling for urgent action to curb rising temperatures.

Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey was approved by the States last year which sets out how the Island intends to reduce its energy use by 80%, using secure, affordable and sustainable energy to meet its Kyoto Protocol target.

Since then the Environment department and other states departments have been taking steps to introduce building bye-laws and significantly improve energy targets for all new buildings, improve energy efficiency standards in social housing and encourage change through the 'Turn it off' energy campaign.

Ahead of the conference, which kicked off amid tight security in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris, more than half a million people are estimated to have marched in cities around the world calling for ambitious action to boost renewable energy and protect vulnerable people.

Tens of thousands of people braved the rain and the wind to march through London’s streets to Westminster, in the biggest demonstration on climate change seen in the UK.

The conference aims to secure international agreement on cutting greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to prevent global temperatures going more than 2C above pre-industrial levels and causing "dangerous" climate change.

It’s predicted that average global temperatures are set to rise between 3.7°C and 4.8°C by 2100.

France is hosting the 21^st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change until 11 December.