Challenged: Energy Minister and local MP Malcolm Wicks (left) spoke and took questions about the Climate Change Bill
Croydon Friends of the Earth (FoE) representatives came out victorious in their debate on climate change with Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister and MP for Croydon North.
More than 50 Croydon residents and environmental campaigners challenged Mr Wicks to make immediate changes to the Climate Change Bill.
Mr Wicks was forced to admit, in the face of such animosity, that perhaps an amendment to the bill to include air travel was neccessary.
The FoE is calling for two key changes to be made to the bill. It wants to see the 2050 emissions reduction target increased to at least 80 per cent. This is 20 per cent more than is currently required.
It would also like to see the inclusion of international aviation and shipping in the emissions reduction targets.
Jenni Hollis, Croydon FoE group spokesman, said: "The event was a great success for Croydon Friends of the Earth and for the fight for a stronger climate change bill.
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"The room was packed and people quizzed Malcolm relentlessly. We were very encouraged by his hinting that an 80 per cent emissions reduction target is virtually inevitable and we call on him to support its inclusion in the bill."
“The room was packed and people quizzed Malcolm relentlessly. We were very encouraged by his hinting that an 80 per cent emissions reduction target is virtually inevitable and we call on him to support its inclusion in the bill.”
Jenni Hollis, Croydon Friends of the Earth
The changes, put forward by FoE are supported by Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Women's Institute, Unison, Oxfam, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, Christian Aid and more than 240 MPs.
Mr Wicks said: "It was a very lively and a very good meeting where we agreed on a great deal of issues.
"We need to make sure the Government is moving fast enough on projected targets and that those targets are reachable.
"Having the bill for 2050 is good but there needs to be clear cut interim goals for every five years leading up to then.
"I recognise aviation is a big concern and is a growing contributor to carbon emissions, but there will need to be an agreement between countries about who will foot the bill."
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