This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48706352
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Climate change: MPs announce citizens' assembly | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Six parliamentary committees have announced plans for a citizens' assembly to discuss how the UK should tackle climate change. | Six parliamentary committees have announced plans for a citizens' assembly to discuss how the UK should tackle climate change. |
It comes after the government committed earlier this month to cut greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050. | It comes after the government committed earlier this month to cut greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050. |
The assembly is likely to be set up in the autumn and will meet over several weekends before producing a report. | The assembly is likely to be set up in the autumn and will meet over several weekends before producing a report. |
Energy Secretary Greg Clark welcomed the move, saying public engagement was "vitally important". | Energy Secretary Greg Clark welcomed the move, saying public engagement was "vitally important". |
The UK is the first major nation to propose the 2050 emissions target - and it has been widely praised by green groups. | The UK is the first major nation to propose the 2050 emissions target - and it has been widely praised by green groups. |
But some say the phase-out is too late to protect the climate, whilst others fear that the task is impossible. | But some say the phase-out is too late to protect the climate, whilst others fear that the task is impossible. |
Labour MP Rachel Reeves, who chairs the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee, said achieving the target would require "buy-in from the public". | Labour MP Rachel Reeves, who chairs the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee, said achieving the target would require "buy-in from the public". |
"This isn't a challenge for just one Parliament, one political party, or one generation; to achieve net-zero by 2050 we need to build cross-party and cross-generational support," she said. | "This isn't a challenge for just one Parliament, one political party, or one generation; to achieve net-zero by 2050 we need to build cross-party and cross-generational support," she said. |
The BEIS Committee will be joined by the Environmental Audit, Housing, Communities and Local Government, Science and Technology, Transport, and Treasury committees in hosting the assembly. | The BEIS Committee will be joined by the Environmental Audit, Housing, Communities and Local Government, Science and Technology, Transport, and Treasury committees in hosting the assembly. |
Holding a citizens' assembly to discuss climate policy has been a demand from climate group Extinction Rebellion, which held protests causing widespread disruption earlier this year. | Holding a citizens' assembly to discuss climate policy has been a demand from climate group Extinction Rebellion, which held protests causing widespread disruption earlier this year. |
The commitment to meeting the "net zero" came after the government's advisory Committee on Climate Change recommended the target in May. | The commitment to meeting the "net zero" came after the government's advisory Committee on Climate Change recommended the target in May. |
Meeting the target will mean emissions from homes, transport, farming and industry will have to be avoided completely or - in the most difficult examples - offset by planting trees or sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere. | Meeting the target will mean emissions from homes, transport, farming and industry will have to be avoided completely or - in the most difficult examples - offset by planting trees or sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere. |
Mr Clark said ending the UK's contribution to climate change will be the "defining decision of our generation" and will require "the effort of a generation to deliver it". | Mr Clark said ending the UK's contribution to climate change will be the "defining decision of our generation" and will require "the effort of a generation to deliver it". |
"Initiatives to engage the public will be vitally important to appreciating the challenges of getting to net zero and giving people a say in shaping the future policies to achieve the target," he added. | "Initiatives to engage the public will be vitally important to appreciating the challenges of getting to net zero and giving people a say in shaping the future policies to achieve the target," he added. |
Previous version
1
Next version