STEPS TO CREATE A ZERO CARBON BRITAIN

Motion Text

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.