Category: Environment

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Joint Statement with Spanish Deputy Prime Minister

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Joint Statement with Spanish Deputy Prime Minister

    The joint statement made by Alok Sharma and the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister on 12 May 2021.

    Today, despite the extraordinary times we are facing, we jointly reaffirmed that it is crucial that we reinforce and demonstrate that domestic and multilateral action needs to be accelerated on the way to COP26 in Glasgow.

    We underscored our determination to closely cooperate and lead by example through our own socially just energy and ecological transitions, and highlighted the need to encourage increased climate ambition, especially from the world’s major economies, in a context of cooperation and global solidarity.

    COP26 will be a crucial moment for establishing continued trust in the multilateral process for addressing climate action. In this context, we exchanged views on UNFCCC Negotiations, taking into account the need to reach a balanced outcome in Glasgow which lays the foundations for an African COP in 2022.

    We discussed the importance of scaling up international climate finance and private investment for both mitigation and adaptation as well as the crucial role of finance in enabling action and ambition – on both emissions and resilience – in all countries. This will be crucial in building the trust of developing countries ahead of COP26.

    Following Spain’s hosting of COP25, we also discussed the COP26 Presidency’s commitment to working with all countries to finalise the Paris Rulebook and successfully advance wider negotiations issues, including the elements required to drive increased ambition and transparency. We discussed how Spain can help drive progress on all of these fronts resolving that it is critical to work closely with all parties in order to ensure the success we need in Glasgow.

  • Jonathan Bartley – 2021 Comments on Green Party Local Election Results

    Jonathan Bartley – 2021 Comments on Green Party Local Election Results

    The comments made by Jonathan Bartley, the co-leader of the Green Party, on 9 May 2021.

    Once again, we are seeing record results for the Green Party. A Green wave is sweeping across the country with Greens winning seats in places dominated by both Labour and Conservatives. These are votes for our strong vision and practical policies for a green future.

    Whether it’s in Burnley or Bristol, people are turning to the Greens because they know that the way we won their vote is the way we will use the power they have given us – with hard work and humility. We will not take their support for granted.

    In a time of multiple crises there is a recognition that the Greens are ready. The changes that are happening in the world are ones we have anticipated and we have the policies and the vision not only to prevent the worst but to use the changes that are on the way to build a better society for us all.

    People know a better, Greener future is possible. A future where we tackle the climate and ecological emergencies but also enable communities in every corner of England and Wales to thrive.

  • Caroline Lucas – 2021 Comments on the Queen’s Speech

    Caroline Lucas – 2021 Comments on the Queen’s Speech

    The comments made by Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, on 10 May 2021.

    The surge in votes we’ve seen for the Green Party this weekend shows that people up and down the country recognise the urgent need for real action on the environment, and that this can be done whilst dramatically improving the quality of peoples’ lives.

    The government must use the Queen’s Speech tomorrow to put us on the right track to addressing the huge challenges of climate and ecological breakdown.

    If the government was serious about making life better for all, then tomorrow we would see a Green New Deal to create millions of Green jobs alongside Bills to help the UK meet its climate targets and shift the focus of our economic model away from relentless GDP growth and towards the health of people and planet.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Comments on Vatican City Visit

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Comments on Vatican City Visit

    The comments made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President, on 10 May 2021.

    A cross-society approach is essential if we are to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming to less than 1.5 degrees alive.

    Faith leaders are an integral part of this approach and I was honoured to visit Vatican City to discuss this.

    His Holiness, Pope Francis, has committed the Vatican State to a net zero future and I hope his leadership and moral standing across the world will set a powerful example to others.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Comments Ahead of Vatican City Trip

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Comments Ahead of Vatican City Trip

    The comments made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President-Designate, on 9 May 2021.

    I am delighted to be visiting the Vatican City to learn about steps Catholics are taking around the world on climate change.

    I am encouraged by the Catholic Church’s recognition of how urgently the world needs to act if we are to limit warming to 1.5C and protect our planet and people from the intensifying impacts of climate change.

    Faith groups have a vital role to play in raising awareness and ambition around the world. Only through everyone working together can we bring about real change and leave COP26 with a successful outcome.

  • Rebecca Pow – 2021 Comments on Plastic Bag Charge

    Rebecca Pow – 2021 Comments on Plastic Bag Charge

    The comments made by Rebecca Pow, the Environment Minister, on 7 May 2021.

    The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in supermarkets by a remarkable 95%.

    We know we must go further to protect our natural environment and oceans, which is why we are now extending this charge to all businesses.

    Over the next couple of weeks I urge all retailers of all sizes to make sure they are ready for the changes, as we work together to build back greener and strengthen our world-leading action to combat the scourge of plastic waste.

  • George Eustice – 2021 Comments on Recycling

    George Eustice – 2021 Comments on Recycling

    The comments made by George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, on 7 May 2021.

    Householders want more frequent recycling collections. Regular food and garden waste collections will ensure that they can get rid of their rubbish faster, at no additional cost to them.

    Our proposals will boost recycling rates, and ensure that less rubbish is condemned to landfill.

  • Tim Farron – 2021 Comments on Food Standards

    Tim Farron – 2021 Comments on Food Standards

    The comments made by Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, on 29 April 2021.

    Today Liberal Democrats are launching our new campaign to protect British farmers and maintain our food standards.

    I am deeply concerned that family farming businesses are at risk as the Tories continue to botch our transition away from the EU agricultural system.

    Some farmers even risk losing up to half their entire income as the Government is blundering their way towards a new Environmental Land Management scheme.

    Liberal Democrats support this new scheme, but the Tories are being much to slow – they are stubborn and out of touch with farmers.

    Meanwhile, they’re failing to commit to maintaining our high animal welfare and environmental standards for imported foods.

    This would allow foreign imports to undercut responsible British farmers.

    Farmers are the guardians of our landscape, they are the stewards of our countryside and vital allies in tackling the climate and ecological crises.

    The Liberal Democrats are committed to maintaining the beauty and biodiversity of our countryside which is why we want to ensure public money goes towards public goods like restoring our peat bogs, creating new natural flood protections and managing land to encourage species recovery.

    But the Tories risk forcing our family farmers out of business meaning we lose the very people who need to deliver these public goods.

  • Dominic Raab – 2021 Comments on UK and Japan Trade and Security Arrangements

    Dominic Raab – 2021 Comments on UK and Japan Trade and Security Arrangements

    The comments made by Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, on 3 May 2021.

    I was delighted to host Toshimitsu Motegi in Chevening today for productive discussions about our strategic partnership. The depth of the UK-Japan relationship is based around a shared outlook on democracy, free trade, tackling climate change, and security collaboration.

    In my talks with Foreign Minister Motegi we discussed Japanese support for the UK’s application to join CPTPP, tackling climate change and COVID-19 and the UK’s commitment for the Indo-Pacific which will be boosted further by the visit of the Carrier Strike Group later this year.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech on Zero Emissions for Road Transport

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech on Zero Emissions for Road Transport

    The speech made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President, on 4 May 2021.

    Good afternoon.

    The future of the road transport sector is clear. And that future is zero emissions.

    The transition is happening faster than ever before.

    The pace of zero emissions vehicle sales has been quickening.

    In the EU, 10 percent of the cars sold in 2020 were hybrid or electric, that is expected to rise to 15 percent this year.

    In Norway electric car sales have overtaken petrol and diesel.

    Six months ago, the UK was planning to phase out new polluting vehicles by 2040.

    Today, we will do so by 2030.

    Matching the ambition shown by the likes of Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

    While Norway is set for a 2025 phase-out.

    Manufacturers are taking action too. Volvo will phase out internal combustion engine sales by 2030, General Motors by 2035.

    We know that action from governments and business reinforce one another.

    So, as we look to speed-up the transition to green transport, we need action from both groups.

    And we must speed it up, because, today, road transport is responsible for 10 percent of global emissions.

    To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, we need all new car sales to ]be zero emission by 2040. Earlier in the most advanced markets.

    And a faster transition can benefit us all. Thanks to economies of scale reducing costs.

    So, to help get the transition moving faster, the UK COP26 Presidency established the Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council.

    Bringing together ministers and governments representing some of the world’s biggest car markets, to look at how we can work together.

    Our work is very much informed by consultations with business and civil society.

    I hope your discussions today also help to establish ways to accelerate the move to zero emissions vehicles.

    And I encourage those of you who have not yet done so to make bold commitments.

    Commitments that push the world closer towards its clean future.

    And that help your company, or your countries’ manufacturers, to get ahead.

    To capitalise on the now inevitable transition to zero emissions road transport around the world.

    So I wish you the best of luck with your discussions and deliberations.

    Thank you.