Friends urge MP to make green role count

Date published: 26/06/2008

An environmental group is urging Milnrow & Newhey MP Phil Woolas to use his unique position within Government to help deal with climate change.

Mr Woolas is one of a select group of MPs chosen to play a crucial role scrutinising the Government’s new climate change law.

Friends of the Earth is calling on Mr Woolas to use his appointment to strengthen the law and ensure the UK plays its part in meeting the serious challenge of climate change.

The Environment Minister joins the Committee of 21 cross-party members tasked with debating and amending the new legislation before it is voted on by all MPs in the House of Commons this July.

The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth’s climate campaign, is calling for the proposed law to be strengthened in two ways.

It wants the target for UK carbon dioxide emission reductions increased from 60 to 80 per cent by 2050 and for all sources of UK emissions to be counted, including the UK’s share from international aviation and shipping. 0Its parliamentary campaigner Martyn Williams said: “Phil Woolas MP now has a major say in whether the world’s first climate change law will be tough enough to deliver the cuts scientists tell us are required.

“Many people in the region and a large number of MPs from all parties support calls for a stronger law.

“Phil Woolas has an incredibly influential role and his decisions could take us one step nearer to achieving the changes needed — higher reduction targets and all sources of carbon dioxide emissions included from the start.”

The campaign helped persuade the Government to introduce a ground-breaking climate change law, which will make the UK the first country in the world to set legally-binding targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

Mr Woolas says Labour is acting to make Britain a world leader on tackling climate change by not only delivering the legislation but also through schemes to help people live greener lifestyles.