'Mail readers are helping to save the planet' JOAN RUDDOCK, CLIMATE CHANGE MINISTER The UK Government wants us to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. This means the way we do business, the way we use energy and the way we run our homes has to change. Minister for Climate Change Joan Ruddock spoke to Environment Correspondent PATRICE JOHN about what politicians are doing and why she's backing Go Green.

Byline: PATRICE JOHN

CLIMATE Change Minister Joan Ruddock has thrown her weight behind the Birmingham Mail's Go Green campaign and is praising readers for getting involved.

She is also thankful that Birmingham is working to meet Government targets on CO2 emissions 24 years ahead of other UK cities.

Although meeting the target by 2026 will be challenging, she believes the city can do it.

She says: "This is a really really important campaign. Congratulations to you all and keep up the effort. Your readers are helping to save the planet and helping to save money as well.

"It is important people know they can work to save the planet and still maintain a good conscience through their efforts and campaigns like this can help them realise that."

Ms Ruddock has great praise for the work of Birmingham City Council and for hosting the Climate Change Festival in June 2008.

She says such activities show great leadership and will only help to set the tone for other cities.

"I think it is absolutely brilliant that Birmingham has set itself this target and it's good to press for something so ambitious as it helps to get people excited," she says.

"It's now at the stage where people really believe they can do better than anywhere else in the country and that is a great thing.

"Birmingham City Council are providing information and setting standards that can be used by other councils up and down the country.

"There seems to be an element of competition amongst cities as well which can only help.

"These activities can be really fun and that is important as some people still think tackling climate change is all about sacrifice.

"You can have a good lifestyle and still do your bit for the environment.

"When you get people working together in a city it can be a great encouragement to them all."

The theme of people working together is key to the success of the Climate Change Bill.

The legislation sets annual targets for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions until 2050.

In April the 'Act on CO2' advice line was set up to give people information and help them make their homes energy efficient.

But Ms Ruddock sees the Climate Change Bill as the most coordinated way of making sure every sector of the UK is playing their part.

She says: "We already have the biggest energy producers working to reduce their emissions.

"This will continue and they will have to do this year on year and this should cut a huge amount of emissions.

"Other companies and organisations like supermarkets, banks, councils and the Government will have to reduce emissions as stated in the Bill."

But Ms Ruddock feels it's not just businesses that must play a part, it is also individuals.

"People in Birmingham should support what is happening in their own area," she says.

"Get to know what is going on and support it.

"Contact the local council and find out what they are doing and try and participate in anything that you can think about that might help the cause.

"Forty per cent of emission we produce are from individual's actions so anything you can do to change things matters."

The Act on CO2 helpline is on 0800 512 012. To calculate your carbon footprint visit www.direct.gov.uk

CAPTION(S):

SUPPORT... Joan Ruddock with Thornton Junior School pupils (from left) Maria Mahmood, Marium Hussain, Atia Janjua, Amar Abdul Hadi, Sameen Kamran and Qasim Khan for their Green Festival.