South Islington MP, Labour’s Emily Thornberry, urged to back Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill

• THE government’s proposal to bring forward the date for banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years, to 2030, shows how rapidly awareness of the dangers of climate change has spread, even in political circles where climate change scepticism was once common.

In effect the argument for a green and sustainable economy has already been won, and now it is time to move on to implementation through massive investment in renewable energy in every sector – transport, electricity production and even domestic heating.

The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill, a private member’s bill introduced by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and so far backed by five political parties and 81 MPs, aims to hold the British government to its climate change and ecological commitments.

It would enshrine in law the United Kingdom’s pledges on global fairness on climate change and demonstrate the country’s position as a standard-bearer in this domain.

A novel feature of the bill is that it takes into account the country’s total greenhouse gas footprint, including the gases emitted through the production of goods imported from abroad and through international travel by British citizens.

I see that North Islington MP, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, has already signed up as a supporter of the bill. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage South Islington MP, Labour’s Emily Thornberry, to join him in backing this important legislation. I would also urge her constituents who favour the CEE bill to write to her and express their views.

JONATHAN WRIGHT
Islington Green Party