Eleanor Key pledges support for Climate Change Bill

6.01.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Apr 2005

Chris Davies MEP will be speaking to Congleton residents on April 29th at the Beartown Tap

Eleanor Key, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Congleton, has pledged to support the new Climate Change Bill requiring carbon dioxide emissions to be cut every year from 2010 to 2050.

Despite commitment to achieve a 20% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, the most recent figures show emissions are higher that at any time since Labour came to power. To meet the targets, the next Government must make year on year reductions in emissions which must be sustained until 2050.

The bill sets out procedures to be followed should the targets be missed in any year - including the introduction of new powers for backbench MPs to hold the Ministers to account.

Eleanor Key said: "Whatever the outcome of the General Election, we must tackle climate change. There is no bigger problem. As Sir David King, the Government's Chief scientific Advisor said "The threat is quite simple; it's a threat to our civilisation."

"Liberal Democrat policies will be good for the environment, for instance, our buildings account for 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions. We would encourage people to make their homes more fuel efficient - pensioners would be able to use their winter fuel allowance to insulate their homes, and we support the proposal to reduce stamp duty on energy efficient homes. People will be able to cut their bills and carbon emissions. Such measures would be good for the environment and good for the people of Congleton."

Chris Davies MEP will be speaking on environmental issues, as well as his work in fighting telephone scams, on Friday 29 April at the Beartown Tap (upstairs) Congleton, at 7.00pm. All welcome.