The Climate Change Bill

Leading for the Conservatives, this was a good opportunity to strengthen and improve this landmark piece of legislation.

Since David Cameron became leader of the Conservative party, he has brought Climate Change to the top of the Westminster debate and it was partly his pressure on the government that helped produce this bill.

In the face of the huge threats of man-made Climate Change is it vital that we hold our governments accountable for their record on Carbon emissions.

It is vital, in order to ensure our on going competitiveness, that UK PLC leads the world in decarbonising its economy. With the price of oil set to hit new record highs in the coming months we simply cannot afford to continue our reliance on fossil fuels. Going green also means freeing ourselves from the status quo where we rely for our energy supplies on some of the most unstable regions in the world.

Overall the Bill (that has already been through the House of Lords) was improved through some very constructive debate and I look forward to its final appearance at third reading in the autumn before going for Royal Assent and being made into law.

At this time of heightened oil prices and soaring energy and food bills, it is even more important that the troubled consumer and concerned environmentalist walk hand in hand. Only through grasping the opportunities, both economically and environmentally, of moving to a more efficient and less hydrocarbon reliant society, can we ensure a better quality of life for us and our children.