The UK's climate change minister, Joan Ruddock, has announced that in order to prove the two year commitment to support local green projects, the Government Regional Climate Change Partnerships will receive a £450,000 jump start.

The projects with in the scheme will receive possible grants of £50,000, £30,000 or £20,000 until 2010/11 in order to boost the program. The scheme aims to promote key ideas, including, biodiversity, the update of regional strategies and development issues.

"Here in the UK we've felt the brunt of extreme and unpredictable weather and we know that these events will only increase with the growing effects of climate change. We cannot bury our heads in the sand - we need to act now to prepare ourselves for the inevitable impacts of climate change," said Joan Ruddock. "Developing local adaptation strategies is vital - because local people are best placed to how their areas will be affected, and what needs to change."

"I want our communities to understand how they can adapt, I want them to be prepared and I want them to have clear action plans so they can respond to climate change in their region and evolve their plans to continue to meet this new challenge," added Ms Ruddock. "The effect of today's greenhouse gases will be felt by future generations and we must pave the way to adapting to our changing climate today." (Quotes from The Green Consumer Guide)

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