Caroline Flint comment following Ed Miliband's interview on climate change in today's Observer
Commenting after Ed Miliband’s interview in today’s Observer, Caroline Flint Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said:
“Ed Miliband today showed the leadership which has been lacking from the Government with his declaration that we must treat climate change as a national security issue - at home and abroad.
"One Nation Labour stands ready to work with people from all parties and of none to rebuild the consensus on this crucial issue for our homes, businesses, and children’s future.
"Instead of the dither and denial we see from this Government, Labour is setting out a plan for action on:
"Prevention - slowing the pace of climate change; building resilience - ensuring homes, businesses and infrastructure are able to withstand climate change; and opportunity - building a new high wage, high skill green economy.
"We must act against climate change both at home and by leading a more ambitious programme internationally. Ed Miliband has committed Labour to 2030 decarbonisation target on which the Tories have been silent. We must continue to drive an ambitious EU emissions reduction programme and set the pace of change for the rest of the world.
"The Committee for Climate Change should do a full assessment of our policy response to extreme weather conditions caused by climate change and our preparedness for future floods.
"Labour’s zero based review is looking at how we can prioritise upfront investment in prevention to reduce costs in the future. This could include giving a greater priority to flood defence and protection and to the parts of the environment agency that lead and manage this work on the ground.
"The global market for low carbon and environmental goods and services was already worth £3 trillion in 2007/08. As international action on climate change gathers momentum, this could grow by over £4 trillion in next few years. The Government must create the right policy environment to encourage investment in low carbon energy, support the growth of the energy efficiency industry and give the Green Investment Bank more powers and freedom.”
“Ed Miliband today showed the leadership which has been lacking from the Government with his declaration that we must treat climate change as a national security issue - at home and abroad.
"One Nation Labour stands ready to work with people from all parties and of none to rebuild the consensus on this crucial issue for our homes, businesses, and children’s future.
"Instead of the dither and denial we see from this Government, Labour is setting out a plan for action on:
"Prevention - slowing the pace of climate change; building resilience - ensuring homes, businesses and infrastructure are able to withstand climate change; and opportunity - building a new high wage, high skill green economy.
"We must act against climate change both at home and by leading a more ambitious programme internationally. Ed Miliband has committed Labour to 2030 decarbonisation target on which the Tories have been silent. We must continue to drive an ambitious EU emissions reduction programme and set the pace of change for the rest of the world.
"The Committee for Climate Change should do a full assessment of our policy response to extreme weather conditions caused by climate change and our preparedness for future floods.
"Labour’s zero based review is looking at how we can prioritise upfront investment in prevention to reduce costs in the future. This could include giving a greater priority to flood defence and protection and to the parts of the environment agency that lead and manage this work on the ground.
"The global market for low carbon and environmental goods and services was already worth £3 trillion in 2007/08. As international action on climate change gathers momentum, this could grow by over £4 trillion in next few years. The Government must create the right policy environment to encourage investment in low carbon energy, support the growth of the energy efficiency industry and give the Green Investment Bank more powers and freedom.”