Campaign reply - Constituent concerned about climate change

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about the environment.

I appreciate the depth of your concern on this issue. Climate change affects us all and I know that my ministerial colleagues are committed to leaving the environment in a better state than when we found it.

I am assured that the assessment of the independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has concluded that the target of achieving net zero emissions is feasible, deliverable and can be met within the same cost as was estimated for our previous target of 80 per cent which was set back in 2008, such has been the power of innovation in reducing costs. While I appreciate your concerns about the energy price cap increase, I would like to assure you that the Government remains committed to its climate change targets.

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. 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.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.