Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.
The last Parliament was prorogued on Thursday 29th
April. This means any bills which have not completed all legislative
stages automatically fall, this included the CEE Bill. There was and
continues to be significant pressure on the parliamentary timetable from
Covid-related legislation as well as important bills such as the Domestic Abuse
Act and Fire Safety Act. This was made more difficult by the limits
placed on Parliament’s work by the necessary Covid restrictions. Of
course, the CEE Bill could be reintroduced in the next Parliament. I
would give careful thought to any legislation put before me as an MP.
However, I must be frank that if reintroduced in its previous form, I would
continue to be unable to support it.
Let me be clear; tackling climate change is a priority for
me and my Ministerial colleagues. I am proud that the UK was the first G7
country to legislate to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. While I can
understand that you want this target to be achieved sooner, and I share this
desire, getting to net zero by 2050 is feasible and consistent with avoiding
most damaging climate change. Aiming for zero emissions by 2030 is almost
certainly impossible, hugely disruptive and risks undermining consensus.
However, I welcome that the UK Government has announced the interim target of
reducing emissions by 68 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030. This target is
faster than any other major economy. Climate change is an emotive issue, but a
cross-community consensus will be required to ensure the UK achieves a
transition that works for all.
I also welcome the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan which
will allow the UK to forge ahead in eradicating the UK’s contribution to
climate change. On energy, the UK will produce enough offshore wind to power
every home, quadrupling how much we currently produce to 40GW by 2030, thereby
supporting up to 60,000 jobs. The Government will work with industry and aim to
generate 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for industry,
transport, power and homes. In addition, the Government aims to develop the
first town heated entirely by hydrogen by the end of the decade.
Other parts of the plan include a target to install 600,000
heat pumps every year by 2028, £1 billion funding to make our schools,
hospitals and homes more energy efficient, planting 30,000 hectares of trees
every year, promoting and investing in zero-emission transport and £20 million
to develop clean maritime technology. The plan also includes a pledge to end
the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, while the sale of some
hybrid cars and vans will continue until 2035.
It is particularly significant that the target to reduce
emissions by 78% by 2035, as per the CCC’s recommendation in its 6th carbon
budget, will be legally binding.
I note that the CEE Bill seeks to examine the UK’s global
carbon footprint, such as indirect UK emissions in our supply chain which may
affect developing countries. I am encouraged that the UK remains committed to
environmentally sustainable development as set out in the Millennium
Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. In January 2021, the
Prime Minister announced that the UK will spend at least £3 billion of
international climate finance on nature and biodiversity over five years. The
funding will deliver transformational change in protecting biodiversity-rich
land and ocean, shifting to sustainable food production and supply, and
supporting the livelihoods of the world’s poorest.
I do not believe citizens' assemblies have advantages over
conventional policy making in this context. Previous experiences in Canada, for
instance, included citizens in the decision-making process but they failed to
produce impactful or long-lasting results. I know that a Climate Assembly UK
was formed as a result of work conducted by Parliamentary Select Committees.
Ministers have assured me the Government will be looking closely at the findings
however I welcome that many of their recommendations, which were published in
their report, are already either in place or in the pipeline as a result of the
Government working towards net zero. Achieving net zero will affect everyone
and it is important that we work together to achieve it.
While I welcome the increased awareness and debate this
Bill brings, I do not believe that it is required as work is already underway.
If you would like to discuss this further or any other
matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
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