‘Tell your deputies you back climate change action plan’
MEMBERS of the public are being urged to contact deputies to express their support for a climate change action plan to be debated by the States.
The climate change policy letter and action plan 2020-2050, submitted by Environment & Infrastructure, is scheduled for debate next week.
It calls for legislation to set the target objective for the island’s emissions, sets the scope of emissions to be included and the approach to be applied to reduce emissions, to mitigate or compensate climate change impact.
The issue of climate change has risen up the political agenda and seen protests around the world, including in Guernsey, calling for action.
‘Not only does Guernsey contribute to global climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases but, as an island, it is already feeling the impacts of climate change,’ said E&I president Deputy Barry Brehaut.
‘This policy promotes a green economy, protects the island’s biodiversity, embraces the use of renewable energy and lays the groundwork for adaptation measures.
‘This will ensure our island is sustainable and resilient to possible future climate change impacts for generations to come.
‘I would encourage members of the public to contact their deputies to put forward their support for the policy ahead of the debate next week.’
The proposals include a ban on petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 written into law.
The phasing out of petrol and diesel cars would be in line with the UK, from where most of the island’s cars are imported.
Guernsey’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by just under 29% compared with 1990 levels, although E&I has warned that this is still short of reductions needed, according to scientists, to avert dangerous levels of warming.
n A summary of the policy letter and action plan can be found at www.gov.gg/climateaction.
