Woolas mission to help save the planet

Date published: 04/07/2007

Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East, which includes Milnrow and Newhey, has been handed new responsibilities for protecting the world against climate change — and that involves getting the world on board.

The newly-appointed Climate Change Minister is charged with preparing for the new Kyoto agreement which ends in 2012 — but world leaders want a new successor in place by 2009.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement setting targets for industrialised countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

Last week, Mr Woolas was moved from his position as local government minister to take on the new role which will now involve ensuring Britain plays its part in the war against climate change.

He said: "We need to lead a coalition to include all countries within the United Nations.

"Against the background of a sceptical public there is a challenge.

"There is a balance between an alternative energy agenda and protecting the environment as we discovered with the issue in Denshaw, which was very sensitive."

Floods and the water industry also fall within Mr Woolas’s remit. He said: "It is a big challenge for me because it involves international politics not just domestic politics.

"I just hope I do not get blamed for the rain."

In February at a Washington summit leading international politicians reached a new agreement on tackling climate change.

Delegates agreed that developing countries would also have to meet targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, as well as rich countries.

The non-binding declaration was seen as vital in influencing a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol.