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Concerned about green energy companies like Bute Energy spending substantial amounts on courting colleagues in Cardiff.
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Agrees with the importance of not turning our backs on net zero commitments, referencing the Fridays for Future movement that mobilized children to advocate for climate action.
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Supports the land use framework published by the Government as an essential document for adaptation and mitigation strategies, protecting nature while delivering carbon reduction goals.
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Reiterates the importance of accelerating towards net zero to ensure energy security and cheaper bills, emphasising that it is crucial for tackling climate change and supporting future generations.
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I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke on securing the debate. As far as I am concerned, we should debate this all day, every day, because the message needs to be heard loud and clear out there. Those who want to delay climate action are denying our children and grandchildren a future. The science on climate breakdown is clear: 88% of heatwave days in the UK over the last few years would not have happened without the impact of climate change; there are 2,000 excess deaths a year due to excess heat; and 90% of healthcare facilities are vulnerable to overheating. We face flooding, food insecurity, rising prices, shortages, impacts on biodiversity, national security, conflict over scarce resources, migration, and uninhabitable conditions in parts of southern Europe by the end of this century if we do not take action now. Let us deal with the myths: because the UK is responsible for only 1% of global emissions, it should not take action. Actually, our global leadership through COP, which my hon. Friend mentioned, and the fact that we have set a nationally determined contribution—unlike some countries—is hugely important. We were ahead of the game with the Climate Change Act 2008 and the 2050 net zero target set by Theresa May. The cost of inaction is also clear: failure to act on climate has an economic cost, as per the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Climate Change Committee. Investing in our networks and infrastructure to generate electricity will be there whether we do that with renewables or fossil fuels, but it is better to do so through low-carbon sources. We must be honest about what is going on here and give confidence to people that ours is the right approach. The clean economy is growing three times as fast as the rest of the economy; apprentices like those at Cavendish Nuclear in Warrington are starting to make a difference in good, well-paid, high-skilled jobs.
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The climate and nature emergencies are the most pressing issue of our time, threatening UK national security and prosperity. The Climate Change Committee recognises that investing in climate action now will yield significant benefits, up to four times the cost invested. However, fragmented policy making undermines efforts on warm homes, with 8.9 million households classed as fuel poor due to scrapped energy company obligation scheme. The Government must leave no stone unturned in addressing climate change across all departments.
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The west of England has the potential to lead in tackling climate change while also delivering economic growth and job creation, exemplified by opportunities for nuclear power at Oldbury and Berkeley, tidal power from the Severn estuary, and hydrogen expertise. However, investment and recognition are lacking, hindering realisation of these opportunities. The area requires skilled workforce training and infrastructure improvements to support local employment in green jobs.
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The UK has halved greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, but the government's recent decisions undermine these achievements. Liberal Democrats propose practical solutions like moving older renewable projects to cheaper contracts and insulating homes through a national programme to reduce bills and carbon footprint.
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Under the previous Conservative Government, UK made significant progress in cutting emissions more than any other G7 country, reducing them by half compared with 1990 levels. Proportion of UK electricity generated by renewables increased fourfold from 2011 to 2023.
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Order was called for Members to refrain from using 'you' as if it were confetti. She did not address the next steps in climate action, focusing instead on past achievements under the previous government.
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The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero thanked Luke Murphy for securing the debate and acknowledged other contributors. She emphasised the Government's commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, highlighted the impact of climate change on the UK economy, and underlined the importance of transitioning to clean energy as a national security imperative. She cited examples such as launching Great British Energy and approving record amounts of renewable energy, and praised initiatives like the Bridgend Ravens rugby club installing solar panels and LED lighting.
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No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
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Emphasised the need to invest in energy infrastructure and praised the Government's clean jobs plan.
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Recognised progress made by the Government on oceans and acknowledged the warm homes plan as a historic upgrade. She also focused on innovation.
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Outlined risks and opportunities available in the energy sector.
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Asked the Minister to visit her constituency to see opportunities and discuss barriers.
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Emphasised the significance of making progress towards tackling climate change. He noted that this not only contributes to limiting global warming but also positively impacts economic growth, living standards, national security, and future generations.