Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson will this week support calls to declare a climate emergency and launch a green revolution, starting with banning fracking in areas such as Altcar Moss near Formby.
The MP, who is also a Shadow Business and International Trade Minister, said massive investment in renewable energy such as tidal power and hydrogen gas was needed to turn the UK into a net zero carbon economy by 2050.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that global emissions must fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, and reach net zero by 2050 to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5C, the level at which catastrophic change would be caused in many areas of the world.
Bill Esterson, who will vote to declare a climate emergency when MPs debate the issue in Parliament on Wednesday (May 1) during an Opposition Day Debate, said the Government had to do more to move the UK away from a reliance on fossil fuels and towards renewable energy, including banning fracking near Formby in his constituency.
Mr Esterson, who protested against fracking at Altcar Moss last year with Shadow International Trade Minister Barry Gardiner, said the Government’s ‘obsession’ with fracking had to end.
“Emission have been falling by up to three per cent per year but this figure excludes emissions from air freight and shipping of imports, exports. The reason our emissions are falling is because the Labour government started the switch from coal to gas as long ago as 2001.
“This government has continued the policies introduced by Labour in government when Ed Miliband was the Climate Change Secretary. Ed was instrumental in leading the international community to agreement on what actions were necessary at the Copenhagen talks in 2008. But we need a massive change in the speed with which we are tackling climate change.
“Labour introduced the Climate Change Act in 2009 but this government and its Lib-Dem partners in the coalition actually cut subsidies for solar and wind power. This government scrapped the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, opposes onshore wind and instead wants to add to the problems of climate change by continuing with fracking, not least near Formby.
“It is clear that we need to invest in renewable energy and move away from fossil fuels including banning fracking in the UK. My Labour colleagues and I voted against the fracking regulations in 2016 but this government went ahead and allowed fracking despite the concerns about the impact on the environment. It is clear that we should be banning fracking altogether and investing in renewable energy instead. It is the only responsible way forward.
“The government also needs to be honest with us about how well they are doing in meeting our climate change obligations. The fact that the calculations for our production of greenhouse gases don’t include emissions from air freight and shipping of imports and exports, means that the UK is not doing anywhere near as well as the government claims and certainly nowhere near as well as it needs if we are to play our part in addressing the existential threat we face. I and my colleagues will be raising these points in the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
“Economic justice and climate justice go hand in hand and this government should reverse its recent cuts in subsidies in wind energy, solar power and reverse its decision to scrap support for tidal lagoons. There are massive opportunities in decarbonising the economy for high skilled jobs and the prosperity which comes with those jobs.
UK domestic emissions are reducing by 3% per year currently. To reach net zero by 2050 this needs to increase at least 8% per year.
Mr Esterson said: “We need to follow the science if we are to save the planet, yet this government refuses to do so. The UK is a world leader in renewable energy technology and we should show leadership in tackling climate change at the speed needed to avoid the disaster we all face. No one will escape the effects of global warming and the global south already suffers from drought, high temperatures and famine in some places and conversely from flooding and storm damage in others, all far worse as a result of climate change. But the dangers of global warming will affect us too and we must act before it is too late. Action on climate change will not wait. This government should support Labour calls for a ban on fracking and work with us.
“That’s why I am calling on MPs from all parties to support the vote on 1 May and declare a climate emergency.”
The vote in parliament is expected on Wednesday following the debate, asking the Government to declare a national environmental and climate emergency.
The motion will call for new targets on the mass rollout of renewable and low carbon energy and transport, proper funding of environmental protection, reversing species decline and developing plans to move towards a zero waste economy.
PIC: MP Bill Esterson with Barry Gardiner MP and protesters are Altcar Moss near Formby protesting against fracking
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