Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party co-leader, has responded to the UK’s ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Lucas said:
“It’s good news that the UK has ratified the Paris Agreement, but let’s not forget how far we still have to go. We know that without urgent global action we will blow the 1.5 degree target within years and that keeping warming below 2 degrees remains extremely challenging. Here in the UK, we lack the policies we need to make even the minimum contribution to those global efforts.
“From the reckless pursuit of fracking, to approving a climate-busting runway at Heathrow, there is an ever increasing gap here in the UK between the Government’s rhetoric and the reality of their policies on climate change. Now that the UK has ratified the Paris Agreement, the pressure is on for Ministers to match their international commitments with real action at home.
“With the Emissions Reduction Plan and the new industrial strategy due early next year, the government should seize the moment and embrace the just transition to a zero-carbon economy. We need to end fossil fuel subsidies, ditch polluting vehicles, and speed up the coal phase-out. From vehicle electrification to bringing back onshore wind, a national programme of energy efficiency to investing in a smarter grid: we need a bold and dynamic vision for our economy that can help us deliver on the Paris Agreement.”