Archived press release

1000 Londoners in Heated Climate Change Debate

23 April 2008

More than 1,000 people turned out for a lively debate on the Government's new Climate Change Law in Central London last night (22 April 2008). The event was organised by The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's climate campaign and I Count, the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition [1].

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and his Conservative and Liberal democrat counterparts, Peter Ainsworth and Steve Webb were subjected to tough questioning from the audience, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Manchester to attend.

The audience applauded the Government for introducing the Climate Change Bill - which will be made Law later this year - but called for it to be strengthened. Specific demands included increasing the target for cutting emissions from 60 per cent to 80 percent to bring it in line with the latest science and ensuring the Bill covers all emissions including the UK's share of emissions from international aviation and shipping from the outset.

Pressed on whether he would include a target for cutting emissions by 80 percent in the Climate Change Bill, Hilary Benn said: "If we didn't think the target needed strengthening we wouldn't ask the [Climate Change] Committee to look at it. However I believe in the process so will only make that decision once the Committee has reported."

Peter Ainsworth, Conservative Shadow Secretary for the Environment responded: "There will be no point in the Climate Change Committee if the Government is not going to apply their recommendations."

Mr Benn also said emissions from international aviation are an international problem and need to be addressed at a European level through the Emissions Trading Scheme. However Steve Webb Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs said: "The Government should include aviation emissions in the Bill from the start. The Law should be a statement of intention - the detail can be worked out later on."

All three politicians said that more had to be done to incentivise people to act by highlighting the benefits for the UK economy and people pockets as well as the environment. Peter Ainsworth described it as the `economic opportunity of the 21^st Century' and said that Britain is losing out to Germany and other countries who have already invested hugely in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The politicians congratulated Friends of the Earth and Stop Climate Chaos supporters for their role in making the Climate Change Bill happen. Hilary Benn described it as a `demonstration of politics at its best' while Steve Webb said: "I see power in this room. Not one of us has failed to have been inundated with postcards, letters and visits from you on the Climate Change Bill. The volume of this campaign has made us think again."

Hilary Benn said: "Let's not forget how radical the Bill is - it will set legally binding targets for cutting emissions for the first time. It will introduce carbon budgets and every Government policy will have to be judged, in part on the level of carbon dioxide emissions it will emit. The Government will have to set out a plan on how they intend to deliver the emissions reductions targets and it will provide transparency on what the Government is doing and how we are doing it."

Peter Ainsworth said: "I congratulate the Government on introducing the Climate Change Bill. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have made some amendments in the House of Lords aimed at strengthening the Bill [such as] getting aviation and shipping included in the Bill and making the Prime Minister responsible for it. I hope they stay in."

Steve Webb said: "The Department for the Environment is a small department and its broke - that is why the Prime Minister must be personally answerable for how we deliver on the Bill. The Bill must also include international aviation and shipping emissions and must commit the UK to cutting its emissions by 80 percent cut."

Friends of the Earth launched The Big Ask campaign for a strong climate change law, supported by Stop Climate Chaos, in May 2005. Over half a million people from across the UK have contacted their MP to demand a law and the Government listened.

The Climate Change Law is a ground-breaking piece of legislation but it needs to be strengthened if it is to deliver the cuts in emissions that scientists tell us are needed. MPs will now have a chance to debate and make amendments to the Governments proposed law before it is introduced later this year. Nearly half of London MPs and the key Mayoral Candidates support demands for a stronger Law.

Notes

1. The event is being chaired by Anne McElvoy, Executive Editor of the Evening Standard. Speakers include: Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Peter Ainsworth, Conservative Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary; Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs; and Tony Juniper, Director of Friends of the Earth and representative of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.

2. I Count is the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which brings together over 70 organisations, from environment, development charities to unions, faith and women's groups. I Count backs a Climate Change Bill which commits the UK to at least 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust