Climate emergency: Government must set a roadmap to net zero with specific Minister in charge

Liberal Democrats are calling for a new local and national government strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the UK

In a debate in the House of Lords this afternoon, Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Teverson will call on the Government to set a proper roadmap for local authorities as well as the government in Westminster to meet targets, and demand the creation of a new Minister for the Climate Emergency to oversee targets being met.

There has been no government department explicitly dedicated to tackling the climate emergency since Theresa May scrapped the Department for Energy and Climate Change in 2016.

Lord Teverson, who led a debate in the House of Lords Grand Committee, argued that the Government needs more bravery when it comes to climate change, particularly in light of the Tories latest announcement this week that they will cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. He said:

"It is absolutely essential that Westminster works with our local councils to tackle climate change. Local authorities are best placed to know how to cut emission in their area. If they don't then this commitment is nothing more than the Tories announcing they can run before learning how to walk.

"Liberal Democrats have a proud record on promoting a greener country, with dozens of council groups declaring climate emergencies and promising to slash emissions.

"We need a Minister for the Climate Emergency to sit in cabinet and oversee a real working roadmap that brings government and councils together. If this does not happen, I fear their recent announcement would end up being nothing more than a predictable disaster."