I have previously expressed my concern of climate change and acknowledge that it is one of the most serious threats that the country and the world faces. Indeed, it is also a topic close to home with Bath often exceeding pollution limits – something which I recently led a Westminster Hall debate on.
From what I have seen from the recent talks in Paris, I am proud that the UK is taking a leading role on the world stage in the fight against climate change. British Ministers led the drive to agree an ambitious EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least 40 per cent by 2030 and the UK is also one of the first developed countries to announce that all coal-fired power stations where carbon emissions aren't being captured and stored, will be closed by 2025.
Britain is leading by example and the Government's flagship Energy Act is based on the premise that the UK needs to decarbonise its energy sector. Everything in the Act works towards achieving this goal at the lowest possible cost to the consumer. It puts Britain firmly on track to meet the 2050 target to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 80 per cent.
Ahead of the negotiations, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd, said that she wants a strong, ambitious, rules-based agreement that makes the shift to a clean global economy irreversible. The Secretary is well aware of public concerns and has ensured that Britain will continue to work with our international counterparts to help to secure the best deal possible.