Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Climate Change: Nature-based Solutions

Tuesday 17 December 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister for Nature met with the Minister to discuss nature-based solutions to climate change.
  • The Government does not believe the Climate and Nature Bill is necessary due to existing legislation.
  • The Minister highlighted the commitment to restore 280,000 hectares of peatland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Climate Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to address climate change through nature-based initiatives. The Labour Party is seeking steps with Cabinet colleagues to support these solutions.

Question

Whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to support nature-based solutions to climate change.

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

We know that nature-based solutions have a key role to play in climate mitigation and keeping to 1.5°C at home and abroad. I have met the Minister for Nature, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry East (Mary Creagh), and the Government have appointed two special representatives for climate and for nature, who will be working closely together too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps being taken by the government to support nature-based solutions were not detailed.

How: We Know That Nature-Based Solutions Have A Key Role To Play In Climate Mitigation And Keeping To 1.5°C At Home And Abroad.

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Q2 Roz Savage Lib Dem South Cotswolds
Climate Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to address the integration of UK climate and biodiversity policy. The Liberal Democrats are seeking a meeting to discuss their Climate and Nature Bill.

Question

The climate and nature crises are now recognised as inextricably interlinked—we cannot resolve the climate crisis without addressing the nature crisis—but that is not recognised in current legislation. Will the Minister meet me to discuss my Climate and Nature Bill and its potential to achieve the Government's stated goal of integrating UK climate and biodiversity policy?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

We are not convinced that the Bill is necessary as a well-developed legislative framework with legally binding targets is already in place, including, of course, the Climate Change Act 2008 and the carbon budgets. However, I appreciate the action on both climate and nature and the hon. Member's commitment to both. I believe that our offices are already trying to find a date for us to meet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reasons why the Bill is not necessary were not provided.

How: We Are Not Convinced That The Bill Is Necessary As A Well-Developed Legislative Framework With Legally Binding Targets Is Already In Place, Including, Of Course, The Climate Change Act 2008 And The Carbon Budgets.

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Q3 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Climate Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to address climate change through wetland and peatland restoration. The Labour Party is seeking details on how these efforts are being integrated into UK strategies.

Question

My constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire South is home to the beautiful RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve. In addition to supporting our biodiversity, the reserve serves as a natural carbon sink. Globally, wetlands hold approximately 20% to 30% of the Earth's soil carbon despite covering only 5% of the land surface. Will the Minister outline how the Department is integrating wetland and peatland restoration into its strategy for meeting the UK's carbon capture and storage targets?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

I am aware of the excellent work being carried out at Lochwinnoch. We know that protecting and restoring our peatlands is essential for tackling the climate crisis. We are committed to restoring approximately 280,000 hectares of peatland. We are also looking at innovative ways of getting funding into those nature-based solutions so that they can thrive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on integrating wetland and peatland restoration into the carbon capture strategy were not provided.

How: We Are Committed To Restoring Approximately 280,000 Hectares Of Peatland.

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