Across the country 410 MPs have signed EDM 178 – making it the fourth most popular Early Day Motion of all time. Over 1000 people took part in lobbying on an unprecedented scale and put climate change right at the top of the political agenda.
Birmingham FoE has once again done itself proud! Our members delivered a face-to-face lobby of all but two of Birmingham’s MPs and a further five MPs in surrounding constituencies. Of the 16 MPs in and around Birmingham, all but one has now offered support for the Bill and tougher action on climate change – either by writing to the Environment Secretary, David Milliband, or by signing EDM 178.
Whilst the Conservative MPs do not yet agree with Friends of the Earth’s calls for 3% annual cuts in CO2 emissions, they have accepted the need for binding annual targets and an independent body to monitor carbon emissions year on year. The Liberal Democrats fully support our climate change bill and many Labour MPs believe annual targets are needed. The last couple of months have witnessed a sea change in the debate on climate change – thanks to us!
The details of the Climate Change Bill have yet to be announced but it seems unlikely to contain the binding annual targets we’ve all been calling for. Our challenge now is to make sure we get a tough bill and keep our MPs to their word. Your support will be crucial over the coming year if we want parliament to deliver strong legislation which can stop climate chaos.
The Big Lobby has proven that, when enough people come together to ask questions, the people at the top are forced to listen and take action. Let’s keep the pressure on and push them even further.
Congratulations and thanks to everyone,
Louise Hazan
Midlands Network Developer
Friends of the Earth
louiseh@foe.co.uk
Constituencies lobbied: Edgbaston, Erdington, Hall Green, Ladywood, Perry Barr, Selly Oak, Sparkbrook and Small Heath, Sutton Coldfield, Yardley, Meriden, Warley, Solihull, Bromsgrove, Lichfield
