Steps To Create A Zero Carbon Britain

EDM number 1294 in 2015-16, proposed by Roger Godsiff on 22/03/2016.
Categorised under the topics of Climate change, Energy, Environmental protection and Renewable energy.

That this House notes the recent statement by the Energy Minister that the UK will enshrine in law the goal of reaching zero carbon emissions; further notes that the UK is already under a legal obligation to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by 2050; entirely agrees with the Energy Minister that the UK should be aiming for emissions as close to zero as possible if it is to avoid dangerous levels of climate change; notes that because the total amount of carbon emitted will determine the amount by which temperatures rise, it is essential to front-load carbon cuts and start reducing emissions as soon and as quickly as possible; urges the Government to take all possible steps to start cutting carbon emissions as rapidly as possible, including by de-carbonising the energy supply; observes that new nuclear power stations take decades to come online, while wind and solar power can be set up much more quickly and cheaply; notes that investing in infrastructure for shale gas would lock the UK into further carbon emissions, and is also unnecessary given the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wind and solar; fully supports the Government in taking measures to cut the UK's carbon emissions as much as possible; calls on the Government to reconsider their support for fracking and their cuts in support for solar in the light of this commitment to cut emissions to zero; and further urges the Government to start the process of legislating to achieve zero-carbon Britain as soon as possible.

This motion has been signed by a total of 14 MPs.