news story

23rd November 2009

Local MP Signs Up for Climate Change Campaign

Steve Webb MP at home with an electricity meter which measures how much power each individual appliance is using and how much it is costing to run

Northavon MP Steve Webb has signed up for the 10:10 Climate Change campaign by pledging to cut his own carbon dioxide emissions by ten per cent in 2010. The MP has been actively involved in drawing up legislation at Westminster which commits Britain to large cuts in emissions by the middle of the century but was keen to take practical action on a personal level to make a start towards these very distant targets. Already, 35,000 individuals, 1,200 businesses, and 850 schools and organisations are already part of the 10:10 campaign, which is growing every day.

Practical steps that the MP is looking at to reduce his CO2 emissions include using a new 'smart' meter to see which household appliances are using up the most power, considering switching energy supplier to support renewable generators, and trying to make sure that lights and equipment around the house are switched off when not in use.

Steve Webb said:

“It is easy to feel helpless in the face of climate change, and talk about targets for 2050 seem very remote. The 10:10 campaign is a good way to focus all our minds on the changes that we can make as individuals to start to make progress to reduce our impact on the planet. Even small things like only boiling the right amount of water in a kettle or switching off equipment on stand-by can reduce emissions and reduce fuel bills.

"We certainly need governments to do more, and I will continue to campaign in Parliament for more effective action, but it is also vital that through our households, schools, councils and businesses we also play our part".

A Liberal Democrat motion in Parliament last month called on all Government departments to sign up to the 10:10 pledge, but this was rejected by the Government.