Climate change

This briefing considers the approach to housing, energy efficiency and net zero, providing an overview of Government policy and parliamentary comment on the issue.

This briefing paper provides an overview of the existing legal framework for electric scooters (e-scooters). It also analyses the arguments for and against legalising e-scooters on UK roads, drawing on the limited evidence from other countries and cities that have sanctioned their use.

This page summarises the Commons Library publications on energy policy. The overview briefing paper provides background on energy in the UK, the basis for energy policy, and a timeline of significant developments in energy policy.

This Commons Library briefing paper summarises current progress on nuclear power, including conventional reactors, advanced designs, waste disposal, and nuclear research.

This short briefing paper aims to provide context for provisions in clause 124 of the Pension Schemes Bill 2019/21 that would “require occupational pension schemes to manage the effects of climate change effectively as a financial risk to their investments and to report publicly on how they have done so.”

Climate Change Explainers is a series of Insights by the Commons Library about climate change.

An overview of the basic concepts underlying greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change, with references to further information and underlying research.

Historic trends show a sustained rise in global temperatures in the last half century. This Insight explains the trends in temperatures and emissions globally and in the UK.

A short introduction to the history of climate change as an intergovernmental political issue, touching on key international treaties and agreements reached along the way.

This Insight explains the role of MPs in driving and scrutinising policy change, including how the landmark Climate Change Act 2008 came into force.

This Insight examines changes in public attitudes towards climate change and whether climate change activism is also changing.

This Insight gives an overview of the EU’s approach to climate change, including its global commitments, major policies and possible future direction. It also notes the status of the UK-EU future relationship negotiations in these areas.

In the UK, health has been identified as one of the six priority areas in need of climate change adaptation policies, but also one of the sectors with “no plans” for long-term climate change. This Insight provides a short introduction to UK adaptation policy, with a spotlight on health.