Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Graham Stuart and Lord Barker of Battle(11 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Gregory Barker
The right hon. Lady clearly does not understand the difference between sensitivity modelling, which shows a whole range of potential outcomes, and a Government plan going forward. She should look at our central forecast. I can assure her that we take the advice of the Committee on Climate Change extremely seriously, but we are delighted that as a result of the publication of the Energy Bill, we now have the certainty that was not there a couple of weeks ago, and industry is speaking up in a chorus of approval of the steps that this coalition Government are taking. We will deliver a transformation in the UK energy sector and the market will deliver the billions and billions of pounds of investment to make it happen.
Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con)
6. If he will make it his policy to seek bilateral agreements in advance of a new international climate change agreement.
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)
The best strategy to avoid dangerous climate change must be agreeing a new global deal in 2015. However, while pressing for this, we are also working hard with other countries to encourage low carbon growth through effective bilateral partnerships. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and to GLOBE International for the important work that they are doing in this area too.
Mr Stuart
Following the outcomes at Doha, it is clear that we need to reconsider how we use our political capital to get a successful deal in 2015. Does the Minister agree with GLOBE’s analysis that much greater focus should be given to supporting action at national level to put in place climate legislation and regulation in order to create the political conditions for that agreement?
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Graham Stuart and Lord Barker of Battle
Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con)
22. What his policy is on recognising national climate change legislation as a commitment under the United Nations framework convention on climate change.
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)
Domestic legislation is desirable and demonstrates political commitment at country level. However, the UK Government believe that an international treaty is still the best and most credible way of promoting ambitious mitigation action at a global level.
Mr Stuart
I thank the Minister for his answer and agree with the point he makes, but does he agree with me that it is important to encourage and recognise national legislative action and that the global legislators’ organisation, GLOBE, should continue to bring legislators together to catalogue and push for greater action at national level in lieu of international agreement?
Gregory Barker
Absolutely, and in the absence of a global treaty, the work that GLOBE does—and my hon. Friend does very valuable work as vice-president of GLOBE International and president of GLOBE UK—including its recent study of global climate change legislation, is extremely valuable, and we certainly support it and would encourage it to go further.