Motion welcoming commitment to Climate Change Bill
20th November 2006
Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, today welcomed the Queen’s Speech announcement to introduce a Climate Change Bill by sponsoring Early Day Motion (EDM)137.
The Queen announced that the government would strengthen its efforts to tackle climate change by putting into legislation a long term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and setting out a framework for achieving this.
In light of his extensive work in and outside of Parliament to promote energy efficiency and a low carbon economy, Dr Whitehead warmly welcomed this announcement. However, EDM 137 also adds that we need:
“an open and inclusive debate on the Government's detailed proposals in early 2007 based on effective outcomes rather than political gestures.”
Dr Whitehead said:
“This government has been leading the way internationally in tackling climate change, not only in its carbon reduction measures but also in commissioning the Stern Review which makes the case for doing nothing untenable. That is why I was pleased to welcome the proposed Climate Change Bill which tackles this head-on. We can no longer argue over whether there is or isn’t global warming – it’s here – what we now need to do is work out how we tackle it in the most effective way. That is why I am sponsoring Early Day Motion 137 because the answer needs cross-party support and not political gesturing.
The issue of yearly targets is one example, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, decided that yearly targets were unrealistic and potentially damaging in the fight against climate change because of yearly fluctuations down to the weather and other unpredictable factors. Instead what is needed is a framework whereby you can adjust to these over longer periods of time for example five years. That is not to say that yearly reporting is not crucial in order to make the necessary adjustments, just that binding targets serve no other purpose than as a rhetorical measure. That is if you fail to meet the target you would have to readjust your next target which is what annual reporting serves to do anyway. The most important point is to put in place transparency and the measures to reduce carbon emissions. And let’s not forget that at the end of the day it is consensus and behaviour change which will prove crucial in halting climate change.”
He added:
“I will continue to work hard inside and outside of Parliament towards a low carbon economy, and also urge everyone in Southampton to do as much as they can in their everyday lives – for example the top individual behaviours that we all could change to reduce domestic carbon emissions are:
- Travel more responsibly, cut reliance on the car;
- Make your home more energy efficient;
- Recycle (and compost) as much as possible;
- Use water responsibly;
- Buy more eco-friendly products
– even recycling one aluminium can will produce enough energy to power a TV for three hours – it really is the case that every little bit helps!”
More information
- EDM 137 was published on 17th November 2006 and can be viewed online at: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=31706&SESSION=885
‘That this House believes that climate change is the most serious long-term threat requiring co-ordinated action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at global, European and domestic levels; welcomes the Government's commitment to introduce a climate change bill in this session to strengthen the UK's efforts to tackle this crucial issue, putting into legislation a long-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establishing a framework and new enabling powers for achieving this; welcomes consideration of credible and effective targets, annual reporting and an independent body, the Carbon Committee, to work with the Government to reduce emissions as part of a comprehensive programme including carbon markets, regulation, planning, incentives and fiscal measures which will lead to carbon budgeting and a low carbon economy; and looks forward to an open and inclusive debate on the Government's detailed proposals in early 2007 based on effective outcomes rather than political gestures.’