Last week the Prime Minister announced
a new approach to the tackling one of the biggest long-term challenges we face:
climate change.
I am aware from the emails I
receive from constituents that the debate about climate change is stuck between
two extremes. There are those who want to deny climate change or abandoned Net
Zero because they worry that the costs are too high.
On the other hand, we have
those who want us to go further and faster with no consideration for the impact
this will have on the cost to people’s lives or how much we have already
achieved compared to other countries.
Since the Government published
its original targets, we have already achieved much in being greener and more
sustainable than ever before. Our track record speaks for itself. Over the last
decade we have over-delivered on our climate change targets and done more than other countries.
We have had the fastest
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the G7; down
almost 50 per cent compared to 1990, compared
to just 22 per cent for France, no change for the US, and an increase for China
of 300 per cent, as well as higher than forecast adoption of clean
technologies like electric vehicles.
However, we
cannot deny that the world we live in has seen significant changes and
upheavals since we became the first major economy in the world to pass Net Zero
emissions legislation back in 2019. Since the Government set its targets, the COVID-19 pandemic and
Putin’s war on Ukraine in particular have caused a sharp rise in the cost of living.
I am aware
that not every family in Mid-Cornwall can afford to make the changes. I regularly have people contacting me worried about meeting their
day-to-day living costs and concerned at the increased costs of some of our
green policies will bring.
It is clear that there are significant
concerns that the original measures, if left in place, would have greatly
impacted upon many ordinary families who simply would not have been able to
afford to make the required changes, particularly around electric vehicles and
household energy, within the required timescales.
There were also proposals to
implement the original measures within the original timescales, which I have
been contacted about. Measures like rules on carpooling, the creation of new
taxes to discourage flying, and potentially harming our farmers by taxing meat
or dairy. Measures that could significantly damage our economy by continuing to
race to Net Zero without considering the wider implications.
The Prime Minister’s new plan
to deliver Net Zero will not only allow us as a country to continue to be a
world leader in tackling climate change, but shows the Government can take into
account other issues and circumstances that have arisen since we published our
original plans.
I am pleased to see the Prime
Minister confirm that none of these will proceed, giving people the stability
and security that they need at this difficult time, and a significant number of constituents have written to me in the light of
the Prime Minister’s speech to welcome the measures set out, which will see us
take a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach to meeting Net
Zero that eases the burdens on working people.
However, I am also aware that there are a number of people who are disappointed by the new approach, and I believe it’s important to make it clear that even with these changes, we are still on track to meet Net Zero by 2050. Our approach keeps us on track to meet Net Zero in 2050 and is compatible with our obligations under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Our targets are also still more
ambitious than other countries. Our 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution
delivers 68 per cent reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels – more than the
US at 40 per cent, Australia and 45 per cent and the EU at 55 per cent, and
reduces per capita emissions to 3.8 tonnes, lower than the US, Australia,
Canada and the EU.
We have met all
of our carbon budgets to date and are committed to meeting those we have set
for the future. But if public support for
Net Zero is not maintained, none of these targets can be met.
The policy changes
that have been announced will help families and businesses adapt to Net Zero,
giving them more time to adjust, which will only encourage more to make the
switch to heat pumps or electric cars.
Speaking of
electric cars, I want to be clear that the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate
will continue as planned. By 2030, we expect that the vast majority of cars
sold will be electric – because costs are falling, the range is improving, and
the charging infrastructure is growing.
But we must
remember that the upfront costs are still high for families struggling with the
cost of living and I believe it should be the consumer, not government, making
that choice.
More time will also allow our charging infrastructure to grow and create new jobs and opportunities for us here in Mid-Cornwall. We have some of the largest deposits of lithium in Western Europe, which is a key ingredient for EV batteries. Already we are seeing local companies like British and Cornish Lithium attracting significant international investment as well as UK government support while creating highly skilled, highly paid jobs for local people.
Consumers will
still be able to buy new petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035, which
brings us in line with countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden,
Australia, Canada and US states such as California, New York and Massachusetts.
There were many positive measures announced by the Prime
Minister, including greater investment in our energy infrastructure, and faster
upgrading of the national grid. While the government is investing billions in new energy projects, we
don’t yet have the grid infrastructure to bring power to households and
businesses. This investment will make a real
difference in delivering greener and cheaper energy for us all.
We remain on
track to meet Net Zero in 2050 and Britain remains world-leading in our efforts
to combat climate change. I believe
the Prime Minister’s announcement on his new plan to deliver Net Zero is
sensible and pragmatic, and should be welcomed.
As always, I am interested to
hear what you think about the Prime Minister’s announcement, so I have launched
a survey. You can find it here: https://www.stevedouble.org.uk/new-plan-deliver-net-zero-survey
Please do take 5 minutes to complete
and let me know your view on this important subject.
If you require my assistance on any matter,
please get in touch with my office by calling 01726 829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk
