Climate change top of the agenda again
Climate Change has been top of the political agenda this wek - both my own, and the wider world's! I've juts seen on the TV headlines here at Westminster that there's apparently been some deal at the G8 summit on climate change. I haven't seen any details yet - whether or not there really has been any progress will have to be seen - I'll try and make a comment on my blog once there's been more news and analysis.
Climate Change issues has certainly been my major focus here at Westminster this week. Our committee looking at the proposed new Climate Change Bill is now meeting twice a week. The sessions can be pretty heavy, but they're worth it as we're getting a lot of good information from the witnesses we're seeing before us. The two key issues coming up at the moment seem to be (1) is the proposal for a 60% cut in UK CO2 emissions by 2050 enough - almost certainly not!; and (2) how can we actually make sure that the targets for cuts in emissions (which almost everyone agrees we need) will be legally binding. The government accepts that they should be, but we've had some legal witnesses before us who have expressed doubts whether it is legally possible to do that. We have to get that sorted out, because the whole point of the Climate Change Bill is to make sure that we have commitments which are binding on this and future governments.
Earlier in the week, the Environmental Audit Committee (another committee I'm on) took evidence from David Miliband, the Environment Secretary. As always, enthusiastic, although there is of course speculation that he will move to another senior job after Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister. It would be a pity if we did lose David's enthusiasm for tackling climate change, because there's no doubt he has shown a real awareness and commitment to the issue since he became Environment Secretary. (An example of his enthusiasm was the 7.45 am visit he paid with me to the Pelamis wave turbine project in my constituency earlier this year - see above!)
So those committees took up much of the time this week - but I was also able to get in a few questions (on Europe, fuel poverty, and the problems faced by air passengers getting refunds), as well as taking part in a meeting of the House of Commons Modernisation Committee. We're finalising two reports on "Strengthening the role of back-bench MPs" and "Making better use of legislative time" - may not sound like exciting topics, but if we agree them the reports are likely to make some quite important changes to make Parliament more effective. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to say anything about the details until we publish our report! - but anyone interested can get a good idea of the way we're thinking by looking at the hearings we've been having on the topics!
Climate Change issues has certainly been my major focus here at Westminster this week. Our committee looking at the proposed new Climate Change Bill is now meeting twice a week. The sessions can be pretty heavy, but they're worth it as we're getting a lot of good information from the witnesses we're seeing before us. The two key issues coming up at the moment seem to be (1) is the proposal for a 60% cut in UK CO2 emissions by 2050 enough - almost certainly not!; and (2) how can we actually make sure that the targets for cuts in emissions (which almost everyone agrees we need) will be legally binding. The government accepts that they should be, but we've had some legal witnesses before us who have expressed doubts whether it is legally possible to do that. We have to get that sorted out, because the whole point of the Climate Change Bill is to make sure that we have commitments which are binding on this and future governments.
Earlier in the week, the Environmental Audit Committee (another committee I'm on) took evidence from David Miliband, the Environment Secretary. As always, enthusiastic, although there is of course speculation that he will move to another senior job after Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister. It would be a pity if we did lose David's enthusiasm for tackling climate change, because there's no doubt he has shown a real awareness and commitment to the issue since he became Environment Secretary. (An example of his enthusiasm was the 7.45 am visit he paid with me to the Pelamis wave turbine project in my constituency earlier this year - see above!)
So those committees took up much of the time this week - but I was also able to get in a few questions (on Europe, fuel poverty, and the problems faced by air passengers getting refunds), as well as taking part in a meeting of the House of Commons Modernisation Committee. We're finalising two reports on "Strengthening the role of back-bench MPs" and "Making better use of legislative time" - may not sound like exciting topics, but if we agree them the reports are likely to make some quite important changes to make Parliament more effective. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to say anything about the details until we publish our report! - but anyone interested can get a good idea of the way we're thinking by looking at the hearings we've been having on the topics!
3 Comments:
I do admire how David Miliband is dedicated to tackling climate change. However, I was concerend that the G8 seems to have made AIDS a lower profile now and I don't want to see it side-stepped for climate change.
I am currently studying for a PR postgraduate diploma and have chosen to write a research paper on MPs blogging. I would be very grateful if you would complete a survey I will be issuing shortly, would that be ok?
There shouldn't be a conflict between tackling climate change and international development issues more generally, but you are right to point out we need a continued focus on all these issues.
Yes, I'd be happy to do the survey - send me an email with the details.
Thanks Mark, I shall be in touch shortly, much appreciated.
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