Alice Macdonald MP: Climate Timeline

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Alice Macdonald's Climate-related Tweets, Speeches & Votes

We've found the following climate-related tweets, speeches & votes by Alice Macdonald

• 24 Jan 2025: Parliamentary Speech

  Having campaigned on climate change before entering this place, and serving a constituency where so many people care about this issue, I know how vital it is that we take bold action to protect our planet. The science is clear: last year was the warmest year on record and the first to exceed 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, and we have seen a shocking 73% decline in average wildlife population sizes globally since 1970. I believe this Government know how important it is to move rapidly to tackle these crises. In the context of the Bill, I will highlight some of the measures the Government have taken in their first six months that I welcome.

  The establishment of Great British Energy will help deliver green, clean energy and improve our energy security. The nine-year onshore wind ban was lifted in just 72 hours of our coming into office. We have confirmed that we will ban fracking. As a proud Co-operative and Labour MP, I welcome the commitment to community energy. This type of leadership is not new from Labour. As has been mentioned, the last Labour Government led the way in passing the Climate Change Act, establishing a legal requirement for the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  Of course, we are here to discuss nature as well. As climate affects nature, so nature affects climate. I particularly welcome the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which will help clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. I want to talk about two aspects locally. I hope hon. Members will forgive me—as many Members from Norfolk are here they may have heard some of this before. I will then turn to global aspects. Many of the Bill’s measures will benefit my constituency of Norwich North and the county of Norfolk. That is vital because Norfolk is on the frontline of climate change. As the Norwich Climate Commission has set out, Norfolk has been identified as the dryest region of England because of climate change, agricultural irrigation demands and population growth.

  Norfolk is also at substantial risk of flooding, which is only exacerbated by climate change. To compound the challenge, Norfolk has part of the fastest eroding coastline in north-west Europe. A recent report by Norfolk county council spells out the challenge posed by coastal erosion, including the prediction of possible sea level rises of up to 1.15 metres by the end of the century. My constituency neighbour, the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Steff Aquarone) is not in his place, but it is estimated that approximately 1,030 residential and commercial properties could be lost to erosion by 2105 solely in his constituency.

  Climate change has a keenly felt impact on our area, as it does across the country and the world. The nature crisis will also have a hugely detrimental effect. I am sure that many Members have visited the broads—I know that many people have boats there. It is one of the jewels of our county and of our country, as a national park of which we can all be proud. I am proud that my constituency includes parts of it. But recently, the Broads Authority has declared a biodiversity emergency, warning of the need for urgent action to protect wildlife from the impacts of climate change and pollution. The broads has been losing species at a rate of six per decade in the past 50 years. Vital to addressing this decline is better land and water management and adaptation measures. I hope that the Minister will touch on that in her response. I would very much welcome a visit from the Minister to see the broads for herself, though I am sure she has already visited.

  We have many challenges in Norfolk, but Norfolk is a key part of the solution. Some 60% of offshore wind energy in the UK is already generated in the east of England, making it an important centre of clean energy. There is even more potential in our region that I know this Government are serious about maximising, in relation not only to our climate change targets but to delivering jobs and growth for our area.

  There are 640,000 green jobs in the UK, and they are growing four times faster than overall UK employment. That is a big, exciting opportunity for areas such as mine, especially for young people, many of whom cannot get jobs or do not feel they have got the skills, as was touched on in the statement. It is vital to invest in skills. As the east of England all-party parliamentary group set out, 1.2 million jobs will be needed in the low-carbon and renewable energy sector in England by 2050, and 10% of those are expected to be in the east.

  I also want to reference the huge expertise and knowledge in Norwich. I recognise how many scientists contributed to the development of the Bill. We have the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, which has nearly 100 members ranging from PhD researchers to professors. At the Norwich research park we have many fantastic companies working on this agenda. Alora, which I visited recently, is literally growing rice on the surface of the ocean, helping tackle global hunger. Last year, I visited Wendling Beck—hon. Members are getting a tour of Norfolk—in the constituency of the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman). It is one of the most ambitious nature recovery projects in England, reversing biodiversity loss locally, inspiring climate action and building a sustainable and resilient landscape legacy. We need to maximise all the innovation that we have in the UK to deliver on the dual challenge of the nature and climate crises.

  As my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis), who is no longer in his place unfortunately, did not give way to me, I will make the point now that Norwich is also home to a large financial services sector, including Aviva in his constituency. It is a key leader in sustainability. We have not spoken much about the role of business in this agenda, and indeed in the Bill, but it is vital. I welcome the fact that the Government are already accelerating plans to make us the green finance capital of the world, mandating UK-regulated financial institutions and FTSE 100 companies to develop and implement credible plans that align with the 1.5° goal of the Paris agreement.

  I turn to the international aspects of the biodiversity and climate crisis. As I say, before joining this place I was a campaigner working on a range of issues, including climate change. In that role, I was privileged to meet many young activists from around the world who know that their future is at stake, as well as many people on the frontline of climate change, like Hindou Ibrahim, an environmental activist and leader from Chad who has championed the indispensable role that indigenous people and solutions play in this agenda. I am sure that we could mention many examples of similar legislation around the world, even if it is not exactly the same. It is really important to draw on local knowledge. I hope that all those people would be pleased to see the cross-party consensus on the issue in this House and the commitment to bold action, even if we may disagree on some of the specific ways to get there.

  This Labour Government are restoring British credibility on the world stage, and a huge part of that is about climate change. That is much needed: as we see countries turning away from the Paris agreement, it is even more vital that we reaffirm our commitment to global treaties. I welcome the launch of the global clean power alliance, which brings 12 countries together to turbocharge the roll-out of clean energy and drive green jobs and investment at home. At COP29, the Prime Minister announced a new climate goal to reduce carbon emissions by 81% by 2035. Importantly, he called on other countries to match that ambition, because none of us can do this alone.

  As this debate has focused on the relationship between climate change and biodiversity, it must also be noted that the UK is resolutely focused on delivering the target to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. I welcome commitments such as the £10 million announced for the global biodiversity framework fund.

  Finally, I turn to public opinion. The Bill refers to a citizens’ assembly. As a councillor, I saw the benefit of local citizens’ assemblies. There is a question about the best mechanism to do them nationally; whatever happens with the Bill, I hope that we can continue that important conversation. I know how many people in Norwich are passionate about tackling climate change. When I have spoken at local schools, it is one of the topics that children raise with me, as I am sure they do with many hon. Members, because this is their future. We have many local groups, from Friends of the Earth to Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Climate also comes up on the doorstep—sometimes positively, sometimes negatively, but at least it is a conversation that we are having.

  I want to be clear that I fully back action to tackle the dual nature and climate crises. I believe that the Government are also clear in their commitment to doing so and on the importance of joined-up action and embedding the agenda across Government. I welcome the bold plans already set out to make Britain a clean energy superpower, to deliver green growth, to protect our natural environment and to lead internationally.

  “This is climate breakdown—in real time. We must exit this road to ruin—and we have no time to lose.”

  I fully agree. As the Secretary-General says, we have seen hope power change. I believe that hope powered the change in Government last July. Many people were hopeful that we would see a step change in this important agenda. I am hopeful that we have a Government who are fully committed to tackling climate change and protecting our planet.

  Full debate: Climate and Nature Bill

• 9 Jan 2025: Parliamentary Speech

  I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this vital debate. As she knows, the ongoing climate crisis is making more regions of the world uninhabitable, fuelling conflicts that disproportionately affect women and girls. In humanitarian conflicts, up to 70% of women and girls experience gender-based violence, and we must empower them by elevating their voices and leadership in times of crisis. Does my hon. Friend agree that robust systems must be in place to provide the vital support necessary for women and girls in these times of crisis?

  I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution and for raising that important point about climate change, which has a very detrimental impact on women and girls everywhere, and particularly in conflict situations. Indeed, it is a driver of conflict, as we see when it comes to, for example, resource scarcity. I welcome that point and agree that it must be a key part of these conversations.

  Full debate: Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls

• 19 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Pleased to sign this letter. Improvements to Ely and Haughley junctions (as well as at Trowse) are vital to unlock economic growth and help us get to net zero. https://twitter.com/edp24/status/1836640387022385566 [Source]

• 2 Sep 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I also follow in the footsteps of Dorothy Jewson, elected in 1923 to represent Norwich, and one of the first three Labour women MPs. She was known for action to tackle poverty, and was key to the creation of many of Norwich’s beautiful parks. She is also noted for refusing to wear a hat in the Chamber. I fully agree with her when she said that women were not in Parliament to discuss dress or millinery, but to do something. Doing something is what I intend to do. My priorities are shaped by what I have heard from my constituents. That is why I will fight for better health, better homes, good education and decent jobs, and fight to tackle the biggest crises we face: the cost of living and the climate crisis.

  Full debate: Technology in Public Services

• 27 Jun 2024: Tweet

  I have a track record of campaigning against climate change to protect our planet ???? Green policies run through Labour's plans for our country, but to put those plans into action I need your vote on 4th July. Only @UKLabour can beat the Conservatives here in Norwich North ???? https://twitter.com/AliceMLabour/status/1806346889542902223/video/1 [Source]

• 18 Jun 2024: Tweet

  Thanks @Ed_Miliband for visiting Norwich North today. ???? Labour’s green prosperity plan will help lower your bills, insulate homes and help tackle the climate crisis. ???? But we need you to vote for it on 4th July! ????️ #VoteLabour https://twitter.com/AliceMLabour/status/1803160529193562373/video/1 [Source]

• 01 Dec 2023: Tweet

  rom community ownership of renewable energy to worker ownership of businesses, @CoopParty believes in giving people a say and a stake. By becoming a Co-operative Party member as well as a Labour member, you can have your say in our policy, in our selections and in our campaigns. [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  The Tories have shown how weak they are - party before country once again. Cancelling policies that don't even exist. Failing to show the leadership needed on climate change and to harness the opportunity for our economy that clean energy would bring. #GeneralElectionNow [Source]

• 22 Aug 2023: Tweet

  Hunger is a moral outrage- caused by climate change, conflict and weak leadership. It is not inevitable but too often it is the #elephantintheroom Activists, chefs and campaigners are calling for action to end the #globalfoodcrisis . Read more ???? https://twitter.com/HungryForAct/status/1693866396973707559 [Source]

• 22 Jun 2023: Tweet

  I'm in Paris for this summit with @HungryForAct - this excellent thread outlines what's at stake and who is showing up. Unlocking finance is essential for development and climate goals- it's not an either/or. Read more below???? https://twitter.com/michaelujacobs/status/1671805098719150083 [Source]

• 08 Nov 2022: Tweet

  Local leaders are leading action to tackle the climate crisis and achieve @theGlobalGoals. Proud to work with Mayors from across the world to put a spotlight on the need for proper financing. https://twitter.com/TheGlobalGoals/status/1589957745737768961 [Source]

• 27 Oct 2022: Tweet

  Sobering UN report underlines how political action to tackle climate change has been woefully inadequate. We need to transform our economies and society to avoid climate disaster. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63407459 [Source]

• 26 Sep 2022: Tweet

  A brilliant speech from @RachelReevesMP at #Lab22. Labour will build British industry and invest in homegrown projects. A real plan for growth and to tackle climate change https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63028150 [Source]

• 25 Sep 2022: Tweet

  A bold plan which will 1. Cut energy bills for good 2. Make the UK energy independent http://3.Support the creation of over 200,000 direct jobs 4Tackle the climate crisis ???????????????????????? https://twitter.com/AliceMLabour/status/1574064769673338880/photo/1 [Source]

• 22 Aug 2022: Tweet

  We have to make insulating homes a national mission. Labour’s plan would cut bills, tackle climate change and create jobs. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/aug/21/pensioners-to-go-cold-unless-next-pm-makes-homes-insulation-a-national-mission?CMP=share_btn_tw [Source]

• 01 Nov 2021: Tweet

  So many people can't be at #COP26. That's one reason we created #VoicesforChange to bring together voices around the world for Climate Action. Today they were played to Heads of State at the Leaders Summit. We need them to listen and act. https://twitter.com/TheGlobalGoals/status/1455168370903601167 [Source]