Helping the UK to avoid dangerous climate change

To tackle the issues of climate change, the world's decision-makers all need a fundamental understanding of the science and the impacts involved.

Our scientists are now leading a Government initiative — known as AVOID — to further improve the knowledge of our ministers and government officials.

AVOID will address key questions such as:

• How much climate change is too much?
• What level of global climate change should be avoided?
• What does the world need to do to avoid such levels of climate change?
• What is considered an acceptable risk of climate change impacts, for different regions and communities?

Its first objective will be to provide supporting evidence to UK negotiators at the annual United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen in December.

Funded by Defra and DECC, AVOID will feed into UK government policy on tackling dangerous climate change and provide a better understanding of the potential impacts a changing climate can bring. The Walker Institute at the University of Reading, the Tyndall Centre and the Grantham Institute at Imperial College are also taking part in the programme.

The research will model future outcomes considering environmental impacts, social and economic consequences, and national responses. It also aims to further support the communication of research on climate change.

The AVOID website has further details and will be continually updated throughout the project.