February Debate 2

We had hoped to have Jim Cousins MP at this event, to get his views on the Climate Change Bill (which Friends of the Earth is campaigning on in the Big Ask campaign) but he had to decline at the last minute.

However, he did send us the statement below about the issue.

“I’d like to explain that I cannot be with you this evening. The House of Commons is discussing international development as part of the European Treaty.

The Climate Change Bill is world leading legislation on emissions reduction. We desperately need it. However, I agree with those calling for it to be strengthened. That is why I have signed Early Day Motion No. 736 in Parliament. This calls on the Government to include a 2050 emissions reduction target of at least 80% and targets to reduce international aviation and shipping emissions.

I welcome the fact that the Government seems to be moving on the issue of microgeneration and a ‘feed-in tariff’. But this will be of limited value unless there are grants to support microgeneration and much tougher energy efficiency regulations and requirements. In the past I have supported a number of initiatives to improve our laws on these issues.

I‘ve had solar thermal panels installed at my own home in Newcastle. These don’t require heat to work, they just require light. They operate in the bright winter sunshine we’ve been having. Many of my constituents with south facing sloping roofs could benefit if the installation grants were more generous. I am pressing Your Homes Newcastle and the Government to introduce these schemes for Council owned housing in Newcastle.

It’s extremely important that those of us pressing for action on climate change don’t give the impression that we want energy prices to rise. So it is important to increase Warm Front grants that reduce costs. We must keep up the pressure on big suppliers of energy to provide fair costs to people. I’ve been one of the leading campaigners against regional varied electricity tariffs that mean people in the North East pay some of the highest prices.

Clearly we need a framework at European level which will bring ships and aircraft into environmental controls. I remain opposed to a third runway at London airport. I’ve now made a conscious decision to stop using air travel for internal UK travel unless absolutely necessary. I haven’t flown in the UK for nearly six months.

It’s important to recognize that in Newcastle most of the housing we have was built some time ago, often without cavity walls. These will still be the homes most people live in by 2050. We will have to consider what may be quite expensive measures to improve the energy efficiency in these homes. I’m pressuring the Government to introduce a way of helping low income households to pay for these improvements.

Just a short distance away from the place where you’re meeting is one of the largest CHP schemes in U.K. hospitals. It serves a grid that links all three main hospitals in Newcastle. It was a local initiative I was glad to support. I was able to convince the Government that this scheme should be done in advance of the main hospital improvements. We need many more initiatives like this.

Annual targets in the Climate Change Bill are clearly required. They can point the way. I think we all realize that we are at a tipping point in the effect of climate change. At the same time we also face an energy crunch and a credit crunch. Collectively and individually we have to change our ways

I hope this evening goes well and look forward to hearing what questions and issues were raised. I will be happy to discuss the Bill again with my constituents as we get nearer to the discussions in Parliament.”