Politicians must convince people that the changes needed to cut emissions are “desirable and possible for all of us,” David Attenborough urged.
The naturalist and broadcaster said that more public participation and fairness need to be at the core of all climate action, because Parliament marks the first anniversary since the end of the first UK-wide climate change citizen conference.
Members of Parliament will come to Westminster to commemorate the anniversary of their report on how politicians will achieve the UK’s legal goal of reducing overall emissions to zero (known as net zero) by 2050.
Target
The UK Climate Conference was commissioned by six parliamentary special committees to bring together 100 people representing the British population, including their views on climate change.
Over a few weekends, as work was interrupted by the pandemic, they met to understand, discuss, and make informed decisions about options to achieve the net-zero goal.
Initiatives supported by their final report include frequent flyer tax, a ban on the sale of new gas boilers and new gasoline, diesel and hybrid vehicles by 2030-2035, voluntary reduction of dietary meat and dairy products, and planting and managing forests To absorb excess carbon emissions.
The organization stated that the transition to net zero must be fair to people, and called for broad education and information, government leaders, and cross-party parties to reach consensus on this issue.
The government is expected to formulate its strategy to achieve its net-zero emission target before the 26th climate negotiation of the important United Nations Conference of the Parties to be held in Glasgow in November.
gratitude
Attenborough, appointed as the COP26 People’s Advocate, said: “If we don’t take action on climate change, the world’s scientists are already very aware of the risks facing humanity.
“Our political leaders now need to lead and convince people that all the changes needed to achieve net zero are desirable and possible for all of us.
“The Parliamentary Climate Conference has done an excellent job of highlighting the country’s high level of public support for climate action, and has provided the government and members of Congress with a valuable road map on how to accomplish this.
“We are grateful to the British public who participated.
“The most important thing is that the conference is very clear that the core of all climate action needs more public participation and fairness, so this is a loud and clear message I hope the government hears, and of course I plan to share the leader of Glasgow Cop26 with the world .”
Critical
Sue Peachey, a member of the Parliament from Bath, said: “After months of listening to advocates and experts, we have concluded that change is imperative and put forward our practical suggestions to make the change follow us. Hope that the way most people happen will find acceptable and achievable.”
She said she hopes that Boris Johnson can listen to people’s priorities and ideas and allow the public to play a greater role in achieving net zero.
“If he takes the time to notify and cooperate with people who have reasonable concerns, we have indicated that he should open the door,” she said.
positive
Darren Jones is the chairman of the Parliament’s Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) Committee, which is one of the six special committees entrusted to the UK Climate Conference. He said that the Parliament has done Johnson’s homework for him.
“But so far, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of Finance seem to be too scared to tell people frankly about the small changes we all need to make in the near future,” he said.
“The government must use the work of the Climate Conference as the basis and urgently involve the public in discussing the true meaning of addressing climate change, not only explaining why it is necessary, but also explaining how it has a positive impact on people’s lives.”
This author
Emily Beament is the PA Environmental Correspondent.
