Lords back Energy Bill amendments

23 March 2011

Because of our campaign, Peers from all parties sent a forceful message that:

• Every council should do its bit to cut carbon in our communities
• Councils need clarity about the scale of local action needed to help meet UK Climate Change Act targets

Local authorities are fundamental to helping deliver our carbon targets nationally. There should be a statutory obligation on councils. The Climate Change Committee should have a local authority aspect

Lord Teverson, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson

Lords were impressed that councils themselves were calling for a law change, and that the campaign is also supported by the Federation of Small Businesses, unions and the Women's Institute as well as Stop Climate Chaos.

It is a request to ensure that local authorities can work together and that the public can know where they are on these matters

Lord Deben (John Gummer), Conservative former Environment Secretary

This shows our campaign is working.

The Energy Bill will be debated in the House of Commons from next month - and there'll be crucial votes on amendments before the summer.

Council leaders would not be seeking to impose burdens on their local authority if they thought they were ineffective, too costly or would not work. They are proposing them because they know they can do it and they know they can make a difference

Baroness Smith of Basildon, Labour Environment Shadow Minister

So now we need to make sure MPs hear why it's so important that local councils cut their emissions.

MPs across the country are being lobbied by Friends of the Earth local groups along with other members of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.

Together they're calling for a strong Energy Bill to kick-start the green overhaul the UK desperately needs.

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