Figures released by Defra on 31 January 2008 show that the UK's carbon dioxide emissions “stayed virtually the same” in 2006, dropping by just 0.1% to 554.5 million tonnes CO2. Overall greenhouse gases fell by 0.5% on the year before.

Defra has published a new review of the potential for reduced tillage practices and organic matter returns to increase the carbon content of English and Welsh arable soils as a means of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

DEFRA has published a framework to encourage environmentally friendly behaviour among individuals and communities. The report pulls together evidence on public understanding, attitudes and behaviours and draws conclusions on the potential for behaviour change among members of the public. It identifies 12 headline behaviour goals based on a range of low/high impact and easy/hard behaviours which could potentially engage large numbers of people and others which would be more appropriate for targeting particular population groups. These are: use more efficient vehicles

The Marine Climate Impacts Partnership has published its latest annual report card. The report card aims to address/summarise the following: What is the current state of scientific understanding of marine climate change in our oceans and seas? What changes have been observed and what could happen in the future? How much of this is hard fact and how much is interpretation? A few key observations are as follows:

Published by the Sustainable Development Commission, a new study undertaken by ADAS, starting with the premise that oil prices reach $100/barrel of oil, explores: The direct impact of increased energy prices upon UK farm businesses, with consideration to the potential for a change in farm practice. The wider impact of increased energy prices on the UK food supply chain, and hence the competitiveness of the UK agricultural industry. This report makes the following key findings: