Mark Lazarowicz MP and Alan Whitehead MP joint press release

The House of Commons today took an important step to deal with climate change and promote microgeneration and renewable heating technologies when it gave a Second Reading to the “Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill” promoted by Mark Lazarowicz MP.

However environmental campaigners, fuel poverty NGOs and the micropower industry expressed anger that a second Bill, the “Management of Energy in Buildings Bill” promoted by Alan Whitehead MP was prevented from receiving its Second Reading due to action by a few backbench Conservative MPs.

The “Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill” (sponsored by Mark Lazarowicz) received its Second Reading in the House of Commons today and the extent of its support was demonstrated by the presence in the House of well over 100 MPs – an extraordinarily large number for a Friday.

The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill places a requirement on the Government to report to Parliament on a yearly basis - and aims to promote renewable energy sources, including microgeneration and renewable heat.

Mark said: “The backing my Bill received today shows there is the political will to tackle our carbon emissions and promote renewable energy. We need to turn this will into action and I hope this Bill will become law and make this possible. It is sad, for all the supporters and for the wider goal of combating climate change and promoting renewable energy, that Management of Energy in Buildings Bill has been defeated in such a way.”

Alan Whitehead MP, for Southampton Test, said: “I am delighted that the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill has been given a second reading, but saddened that my Bill, which would have made a real difference to how we heat and power our homes, has been derailed by such small minded tactics, despite such widespread support for it both inside and outside Parliament. I hope that the ideas in the Bill will be adopted by Government as soon as possible.”

Mark Lazarowicz, Labour-Co-operative Party MP, said: “International agreements and international action are necessary and important but we have our own role at home to play too in combating climate change. The UK has committed itself to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010, but on recent trends we will struggle to achieve that. My Bill, if passed, will help to put the UK back on track to reach its targets for cutting greenhouse gases, and also to help individual householders play their part in helping to tackle climate change.”

The “Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill” will now go on to Committee stage in the House of Commons.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. Text of the Bills can be found at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills.htm
2. Both Bills are supported by a wide range of non-governmental organisations, including Friends of the Earth and the Sustainable Energy Partnership. An NGO press release has also been distributed. For NGO comment, contact: Jane Vaus 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 jane.vaus@btinternet.com
3. The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill - Mr Mark Lazarowicz, supported by Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr Andrew Smith, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Mr Frank Doran, Andrew Stunell, Dr Desmond Turner, Mr Mike Weir, Joan Walley, Alan Simpson, Meg Hillier and Colin Challen, will make provision about the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, the alleviation of fuel poverty, the promotion of microgeneration and the introduction of a renewable heat obligation; and for connected purposes.

The Management of Energy in Buildings Bill - Dr Alan Whitehead, supported by Mark Lazarowicz, Paddy Tipping, Mr John Denham, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Andrew Stunell, Mr Andrew Robathan, Joan Ruddock, Colin Challen, Annette Brooke, Dr Phyllis Starkey and Martin Salter makes provision about the promotion of renewable and sustainable energy, energy efficiency in buildings and the alleviation of fuel poverty; and for connected purposes.

CONTACTS

Mark Lazarowicz and his Bill visit www.marklazarowicz.org.uk or contact 020 7219 8222 (Westminster) 0781 5543826 (mobile)

Dr Alan Whitehead and his Bill visit www.alan-whitehead.org.uk.uk or contact 0207 219 5079 (Westminster) or 02380 231 942 (constituency office)

NGO comment: Jane Vaus on 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 or at jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk