PM Liaison Committee: Spell Out Climate Action Plan, Says Friends of the Earth

David Cameron must spell out how his Government is going to play it’s part in international efforts to tackle climate change, as he appears before the Liaison Committee – made up of the Chairs of Select Committees – says Friends of the Earth.

At last month’s UN climate talks in Paris the international community agreed to keep global temperature rises to “well below” 2C – with an ambition to “pursue efforts” to limit warming to 1.5C. This important agreement has been thrown into even sharper relief since it was signed as volatile weather has increasingly gripped the globe, including causing serious UK flooding.

But since David Cameron won the general election last year, his government has dismantled climate and energy policies aimed at reducing UK carbon emissions. This includes:

– Slashing financial support for renewable energy – despite Amber Rudd’s pledge last year to ‘unleash a new solar revolution’;

– Making it harder for onshore wind farms to get planning permission;

– Scrapping the Zero Carbon Homes target;

– Cutting support for energy efficiency;

– Championing fossil fuel extraction, including fracking.

Friends of the Earth CEO Craig Bennett: “David Cameron’s Government spent much of 2015 telling us what it wasn’t going to do to tackle climate change – now the Prime Minister must spell out what he will do to help keep global temperature rises to just 1.5 degrees.

“Despite his government’s vow to ‘unleash a new solar revolution’ last year, ministers have slashed support for roof top solar power and put tens of thousands of jobs in jeopardy.

“Ministers have also pulled the plug on schemes to make our homes more energy efficient, condemning tens of thousands of people to shiver in heat-leaking homes.

“With the UK increasingly being battered by floods and extreme weather, and climate change expected to make things worse, tougher action is needed to cut UK emissions.

“David Cameron must push the reset button on UK energy policy, end the nation’s reliance on dirty fossil fuels and build the low-carbon future we urgently need.”

Friends of the Earth is also urging the Prime Minister to write to the Committee on Climate Change, to ask them to design all future budgets around a 1.5 degrees target – instead of 2 degrees.

Later this evening, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd is giving a speech on climate change in London.