Thousands meeting MPs in climate change ‘week of action’

Climate Change Minister Claire Perry with some campaigners

Thousands of people across the country are meeting MPs following the general election to keep climate change on a Brexit-dominated agenda.

More than 150 events this week are being organised by supporters of The Climate Coalition, a group of 130 organisations representing around 15 million people. The events, which range from tea and cake parties in wetlands and tours of sustainable woodyards to a workshop by Christian techno band Ooberfuse, will be amongst the most significant examples of coordinated political action since the return of Parliament.

The ‘week of action’ is billed as an opportunity for communities to celebrate the things they love and to highlight the need for action to prevent them being lost to climate change. Constituents will call for action to cut emissions and air pollution from vehicles, measures to reduce energy waste in homes, and support for local and community energy schemes. Participants will also press for the UK to work with allies to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Climate Change Minister Claire Perry, who will be meeting representatives from sports organisations, health charities and faith groups on Tuesday 4 July as part of the Week of Action, said: “I’m pleased to support The Climate Coalition’s week of action as it gives people across the country the chance to make their voices heard and discuss the critical challenge of climate change with their MPs.

“All of us can celebrate the fact that Britain is a world leader in tackling climate change – we helped secure the historic Paris Agreement, were the first country in the world to commit to binding emissions targets to 2050, and are already over halfway to meeting them. There is a lot more to do which is why we intend to publish the Clean Growth Plan after the summer.”

Many of the week of action events coincide with Community Energy Fortnight, a platform organised by the Community Energy Coalition which includes the Church of England, the Women’s Institute and the National Trust.

Neil Thorns, Chair of The Climate Coalition, said: “MPs are hearing a clear message from their constituents: that climate change is an issue they care about and which requires action, not delay.

“The UK has made significant progress on climate change. We need to maintain that momentum, whether to protect our children from breathing poisoned air or to prevent elderly people suffering during more frequent and intense heatwaves, by ensuring that government departments work together on a strong emissions reduction plan.

“President Trump’s abdication of responsibility in withdrawing from the Paris Agreement has left a vacuum in global leadership. The UK must be one of the countries aiming to fill that vacuum.”

More information on the week of action is available at www.theclimatecoalition.org