Mark Williams MP's Letter to the Environment Secretary

If you weren't able to get to last week's People and Planet meeting, here is the text of the letter that Mark Williams MP has sent to the Rt. Hon David Miliband MP, Environment Secretary, following our meeting with him earlier in the month on a new Climate Bill. It is dated 30 Oct.

"Dear David,

I am writing to ask you to support legally binding targets as the way to stabilize greenhouse gases and prevent dangerous climate change, and to urge you and your Ministerial colleagues to introduce a Climate Change Bill in this year's Queen's Speech.

I was pleased to see that the Government felt able to lend its support to the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill, which includes provision for an annual report on progress towards climate change targets to be made by the Government to Parliament. I was also pleased to read your comments yesterday, acknowledging the importance of climate change legislation.

I, and over half the MPs in Parliament have signed up to Friends of the Earth's campaign for a Climate Change Bill to be included in the Queen's Speech. The Bill should commit the Government to cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by at least three per cent year on year.

I note your intention to put into statute an intention to cut emissions by 60% by 2050, and to consider interim targets, however I am concerned that without firm year on year targets, real and swift progress will not be achieved. I firmly believe that we must set an example as a developed nation, and drastically change our habits in order to bring down our individual carbon footprints.

Public awareness of the need to tackle climate change is growing rapidly, but a UK government target to set its own legally binding emissions targets, together with a package of financial assistance and advice, would send out a powerful message.

I also hope that the Government will consider altering the tax regime to bring about a green tax switch. By doing this, we can help to change people's habits, and stimulate the growth of ore environmentally friendly technologies.

I note your intention to bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows. I hope that you will do all you can to ensure that a Climate Change Bill forms part of the Queen's Speech on 15th November.

Sincerely,
Mark Williams."