January 2020
Dear Constituent,
Thank you very much for taking the time to contact me about this very important issue. I read your letter very carefully and have noted the key points that you raised.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face, and I can assure you that the Government and I recognise the importance and urgency of public debate on this issue. Indeed, the threat of global warming has never been more apparent, as highlighted by the sobering conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on global warming.
That said, I am proud of the UK’s world-leading role in tackling climate change and our transition to Clean Growth thus far, with the UK being the first country to legislate to eliminate our contribution to climate change by 2050 and the fastest in the G20 to cut emissions. Since 1990, the UK has cut emissions by more than 40 per cent while growing the economy by more than two thirds, and we are a world-leader in offshore wind.
To continue this momentum, the Government has announced around £2 billion for new policies since setting the Net Zero targets and a new Prime Minister-chaired Cabinet Committee on Climate Change has been set up to ensure all arms of Government are focussed on tackling this challenge. The UK will also continue to use its position as a global leader by hosting the UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow in 2020 and will ask international partners to match the UK’s ambition.
At the same time, the ambitious Environment Bill is being introduced to protect and improve the environment for future generations, enshrining in law environmental principles and legally-binding targets.
The challenges of reducing our emissions are immense, but the rewards of action will be greater still so long as all other key countries also take similar action and achieve the same goal. My colleagues and I have listened to the clear message from across society and we want the U.K. to lead the world towards a cleaner, greener and net zero future.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord
Member of Parliament for Woking
