John Glen MP: Climate Timeline

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John Glen's Climate-related Tweets, Speeches & Votes

We've found the following climate-related tweets, speeches & votes by John Glen

• 4 Dec 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I have had some dealings in the past with the farming Minister, the hon. Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner), and I genuinely have a great deal of respect for him—I do not want to embarrass him by saying anything more. He has a large number of issues to deal with, and I think all of us in this House want to see some clarity around the land use framework, and how we reconcile the question of where we build more homes with the challenges of renewable energy. However, we have to keep in focus the core function of our farmers, which is to produce food. I recognise the point made in an intervention earlier, and I am not suggesting that the Government are going to say, “We are going to have solar farms everywhere,” but we do need to have a coherent farming policy as a whole and a land use strategy that people understand.

  Full debate: Farming and Inheritance Tax

• 25 Apr 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I think the hon. Lady is referring to the second headquarters of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in Aberdeen, which I visited just before Christmas. I think that there was a misunderstanding about the numbers that were quoted in the paper. Some 18,283 jobs have moved out of London as a consequence of the places for growth programme. I will examine the number that have moved to Scotland, and write to her to clarify the Government’s position.

  Full debate: Topical Questions

• 22 Apr 2024: Tweet

  On Friday, I joined those attending the opening of Our Earth at @SalisburyCath - a thought provoking exhibition on the domestic impact of climate change. I hope constituents take the opportunity to visit. https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1782430187835023516/photo/1 [Source]

• 12 Apr 2024: Tweet

  I was delighted to go back to the Salisbury Battery Energy Storage System project having gone live and meet with SSE Renewables’ Head of Construction to celebrate this fantastic example of pioneering technological innovation to help meet our climate targets. 3/3 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1778764121028043239/photo/1 [Source]

• 12 Apr 2024: Tweet

  @sserenewables’ 26 batteries represent the technology to enable our transition to Net Zero - responding to the challenge of ensuring high capacity green energy storage. This will help deliver a reliable source of energy, no matter the weather. 2/3 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1778764106721288401/photo/1 [Source]

• 12 Apr 2024: Tweet

  Tackling climate change remains one the biggest challenges of our generation. With our plans to decarbonise the UK power system by 2035, I welcome that Salisbury is the site of @sserenewables’ first battery energy storage system. 1/3 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1778764096046821640/photo/1 [Source]

• 11 Jan 2024: Tweet

  This will mean cheaper household bills in the long run and help the UK to achieve our net zero target by 2050 without it leading to tax-rises for working people. 3/3 [Source]

• 13 Dec 2023: Tweet

  Encouraging to hear a new target to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 has been agreed at #COP28. The UK has led the way in cutting CO2 emissions and we will continue to cooperate with our global partners as we chart our course to net zero. https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1734946383214318038/photo/1 [Source]

• 12 Dec 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  Places for Growth is delivering on the Government’s commitment to relocate 22,000 roles from London and to have 50% of UK-based senior civil service roles based outside London by 2030. In addition to publishing the latest statistics, today I have announced I am bringing forward the delivery timeframe to relocate 22,000 roles from 2030 to 2027. This recognises the huge progress that has been made to date on this initiative; since 2020 the Places for Growth programme has worked with Government Departments to relocate more than 16,000 roles. This announcement will also launch the headquarter locations of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in Greater Manchester, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in Aberdeen in addition to Salford and the Department for Business and Trade in Darlington, as well as establishing Wrexham as a key location benefiting from additional roles from the Ministry of Justice and an increase in headcount from the Department for Work and Pensions.

  Full debate: Places for Growth Update

• 10 Dec 2023: Tweet

  This 50MW project marks a milestone on our journey to Net Zero. It will mean whether there is wind or sun, reliable energy supplies are maintained. 4/4 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1733787012849684680/photo/1 [Source]

• 10 Dec 2023: Tweet

  One key to reliable green energy is high capacity energy storage, and the Salisbury Battery Storage Facility is playing its part in delivering that vision. 2/4 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1733786993631338977/photo/1 [Source]

• 10 Dec 2023: Tweet

  As we seize the opportunities of the green technological revolution to support our environment, guarantee energy security, and reduce energy bills - we have to ensure green energy supplies are reliable on demand. 1/4 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1733786983950901480/photo/1 [Source]

• 21 Nov 2023: Tweet

  3️⃣ Building Domestic, Sustainable Energy UK energy security is essential to avoid being held hostage by global economic shocks. We will do this with new nuclear power stations, new North Sea oil and gas licenses and record investment in renewables. 4/6 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1726938185702535278/photo/1 [Source]

• 07 Nov 2023: Tweet

  ???????? Promoting our national interest by supporting our Armed Forces, maintaining our commitment to Ukraine, and setting an example to combat climate change and integrate AI. Above all, our legislative agenda in these areas will tackle the long-term challenges our country faces. [Source]

• 21 Sep 2023: Tweet

  The Prime Minister’s new pragmatic and affordable approach to achieving Net Zero, has the interests of constituencies like Salisbury at its heart. ???? https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1704873145633529995/video/1 [Source]

• 21 Sep 2023: Tweet

  We have not lost sight of our environmental targets - Net Zero by 2050 will happen - and @RishiSunak has chosen the fairest and most credible path forward. 1/2 https://twitter.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1704763045350666257/photo/1 [Source]

• 21 Mar 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  On growth—the focus of the Budget—there were those who said that we would fall into recession in 2023, but last week the OBR said that we will not enter a recession this year. Instead, after this year, the UK economy will grow in every single year of the forecast period, including by 2.5% in 2025. As we look to the future, we are now rolling out the biggest employment package ever, we are overhauling incentives to get businesses growing, and we are unleashing our green energy sector while supporting families and businesses with bills in the short term. But, contrary to the characterisation in many Opposition speeches today, there is no complacency from this Government. There will be no let-up in our relentless focus on enabling growth.

  Full debate: Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

• 7 Feb 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  The Government are totally committed to meeting our net zero obligations. In the comings weeks, as we prepare for the Budget, the Chancellor will be considering these matters in the decisions he brings to the House. Every economy will have a different set of pressures, but we will do everything we can to address the need to find the conditions for growth, deal with inflation and ensure that we set the economy fair for the future.

  Full debate: Levelling-up Fund Projects: Impact of Inflation

• 6 Feb 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  As inflation rose to figures we have not seen in more than 40 years, led primarily by increasing energy prices, we again took action to safeguard the nation by contributing to people’s bills. Nobody in this Government would argue that that is not money well spent, but we are also cognisant of the facts. At nearly 100% of GDP, public debt is at its highest level since the early 1960s. It would not be sustainable to continue to borrow at current levels indefinitely. If debt interest spending were a Department, its departmental budget would be second only to the Department of Health and Social Care. Not only does that direct our resources away from vital public services, but for those of us who have paid attention to the economy, it is clearly unsustainable in the long run. It is unsustainable because increasing debt leaves us more vulnerable to changing interest rates and inflation. For every percentage point increase in interest rates, the annual spending on debt will increase by £18.2 billion. That is money we could be using to invest in schools or hospitals and in the transition to net zero.

  Full debate: Charter for Budget Responsibility

• 21 Nov 2022: Parliamentary Speech

  Although the increase in the windfall tax is certainly welcome, the changes to tax reliefs from January of next year will mean that a company spending £100 on upstream decarbonisation will be able to deduct £109.25 when calculating its levy. In other words, the taxpayer will be paying money to the oil and gas companies, rather than the Treasury receiving net money. Can the Chief Secretary explain how on earth that can be justified, particularly when there is an economic crisis and we need to decarbonise?

  Full debate: Autumn Statement Resolutions

• 1 Nov 2022: Parliamentary Speech

  The UK Infrastructure Bank Bill will finalise the bank’s set-up and ensure that it is a long-lasting, enduring institution. The Bill will set out its objectives to tackle climate change and support regional and local economic growth in legislation, as well as giving the bank a full range of spending and lending powers, so that it can benefit communities across the country and help the UK achieve its net zero goals. The bank is already having an impact. Since summer 2021, when the UK Infrastructure Bank became operational, 10 deals worth close to £1.1 billion have been done, including providing financing for a new £500 million fund that could double the amount of subsidy-free solar power in the UK.

  When establishing the bank, we were cognisant of three specific recommendations from the NIC. First, that there would be governance to safeguard the operational independence of the bank. We will come on to it later, but one of the key purposes of the Bill is to protect exactly that. It will make it impossible for the Government to simply dissolve or sell the bank without further legislation. We will also be unable to alter its core objectives on climate change and regional and local economic growth.

  Secondly, the bank should provide finance to economic infrastructure in cases of market and co-ordination failures, catalysing innovation. We all know that infra- structure projects take a long time and cost a lot of money, and I want to see more private investment in such projects. Often, however, the private sector does not provide enough finance to emerging innovative technologies that have a higher risk profile—for example, net zero technologies or those that are in areas of the UK that do not historically get financing.

  With regard to the climate change objectives, significant public and private investment will be needed to achieve the UK’s infrastructure policy goals, and low-carbon investment will need to be significantly scaled up to deliver net zero. That is highlighted by the fact that the UK’s core infrastructure—power, heat and transport networks—account for more than two thirds of UK emissions. Without the bank, the private sector is likely to focus its investment on lower-risk technologies and sectors, and we will not achieve regional and local economic growth without better infrastructure in every region of the country.

  Although the bank is still in its infancy, it is already taking a leading role in the clean infrastructure market. Over time, we expect the bank to catalyse new markets of infrastructure by crowding in private capital to help meet our climate change ambitions and level up across the UK. In much the same way that the EIB helped to catalyse the offshore wind market, where the UK is now a global leader, the UKIB will help to catalyse the infrastructure markets and technologies of the future.

  Full debate: UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [Lords]

• 19 Oct 2022: Vote

  Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas Bill - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 25 Apr 2022: Tweet

  I'm delighted that the Taskforce is now up & running, supporting our ambition to become the world’s first net zero-aligned financial centre. It brings together an impressive range of stakeholders to ensure firms can put together plans to aid our transition to a low-carbon economy https://twitter.com/TPTaskforce/status/1518521624454123521 [Source]

• 07 Apr 2022: Tweet

  RT @WHO: Today is #WorldHealthDay! Environmental factors - including climate change - claim 13 million lives every year. Stop burning fossi… [Source]

• 10 Jan 2022: Parliamentary Speech

  I want to turn now to some of the substantive points made in the debate. I do not recognise the characterisation by my right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (John Redwood) of this debate as a “Maastricht tribute debate”, but I do recognise his enthusiasm for growth and his desire to target growth. That is obviously a critical element of the Government’s strategy. It is absolutely clear that we need to focus on greater productivity and it is important that, as set out in our plan for growth, with a focus on skills, infrastructure and innovation, we will deliver the key priorities of levelling up and net zero. I do not think that we disagree about the importance of economic growth and productivity, but because of the actions that we took to support our economy, we have been more successful than previously feared in preventing the long-term economic damage of covid. In its latest forecast, the OBR revised down its scarring assumption, from 3% to 2%.

  Full debate: Charter for Budget Responsibility and Welfare Cap

• 14 Dec 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  I want to spend a moment on building societies, because they are key to unlocking opportunity and driving positive change across the country. For example, in mortgages, Yorkshire and Skipton building societies are among the first institutions to bring back a 95% loan, when there was a problem in the spring, and 95% loan to value mortgages after the lockdown. That obviously brings first-time buyers on to the housing ladder. In addition, the sector is pioneering new products that will decarbonise the UK housing stock. For instance, Nationwide offers a green additional borrowing mortgage, and the Leeds building society has launched two new mortgages for the most energy-efficient homes.

  Full debate: Co-operatives and Mutual Societies

• 14 Dec 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  Let me start with a simple statement of fact: the Government have high ambition to transform the UK financial sector and align it with net zero. We are taking bold action to deliver on that. As my hon. Friend mentioned, we launched two record-breaking green gilts this year in September and October, and announced new sustainability disclosure requirements for businesses across the economy to report their impact on the planet. We are starting to see real results. London was ranked the leading hub globally for green finance this year in a leading index run by Z/Yen, overtaking Amsterdam. I do not want to be complacent, but I think we have made significant progress already, specifically on green finance.

  As my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton mentioned, at COP26 the Chancellor announced that the UK would go further and become the world’s first net zero-aligned financial centre. That is easier said than done. In fact, delivering this will require the Government and private sector to work hand in glove—I welcome the UK private sector’s leadership on this. At COP26, we heard that organisations with $130 trillion of assets globally have now made a net zero commitment. These are big numbers with big implications; it is critical that the claims that firms make about their green performance are credible and backed up with real action.

  The Treasury Committee report on decarbonisation and green finance, published in June, was also clear that

  “‘greenwashing’ is detrimental to good consumer outcomes and to the achievement of... net zero”.

  Our second area of action as a Government has been mainstreaming climate change in the UK’s financial regulation. In March, the Chancellor set out new remit letters to the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Committee, which included climate change for the first time. In November, the FCA published its new environmental, social and governance strategy, and the themes of trust and transparency are core to the FCA’s plans in this area. I am also aware that market participants are increasingly reliant on third-party ESG data and rating services to make decisions, which is why the Government are considering bringing these firms into the scope of FCA regulation and will report back next year.

  I also want to address transition plans. Industry leadership on climate change, particularly through net zero commitments, has been impressive, but commitments need to become concrete action. That is why the Chancellor announced at COP26 that the UK would move towards making the publication of transition plans mandatory in the next 12 months. A transition plan should set out an organisation’s high-level carbon targets, its interim milestones and, most importantly, the actionable steps it plans to take. That will improve transparency around how those headline commitments translate into action.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton asked me a number of questions about which businesses will have to report, when those requirements will come into force and how reporting will help us reach net zero, and I will take those in turn. We will ensure that any burden on business is proportionate and provides useful information for investors’ decision making. Exact details of organisations and products in scope will be determined by the relevant regulators and Government Departments following consultation. Anticipated timings are set out in the roadmap that we published in October.

  In terms of the impact of reporting on the UK getting to net zero, high-quality corporate sustainability reporting is clearly foundational to investors having the information that they need to make well-informed investment decisions. Any action to align capital investment with the transition to net zero is contingent on financial markets having access to the right and relevant information, and identifying which companies are successfully managing their climate-related risks and opportunities. Fixing that information gap is the first phase of the UK’s approach, and getting market participants to act on the information is the second phase, which will ensure that financial flows across the economy shift to align with that net zero commitment. There has been a concerted attempt across Government to ensure that we are very clear about what that journey needs to look like, and more will flow from the legislation next year. I hope that addresses my hon. Friend’s points.

  Full debate: Greenwashing in Finance

• 13 Dec 2021: Vote

  Subsidy Control Bill — Schedule 1 - The subsidy control principles - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 9 Dec 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  My hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Sir Robert Neill) put a stark statistic before us when he said that more than 36% of his constituents worked in financial services and the broader legal and professional services sector. It is a critical sector for our economy. The financial services sector also has a crucial role to play in our response to climate change. The ambition is clear: we want the UK to be the best place in the world for green and sustainable investment. As a Government we have taken bold action in this area to transform the UK financial sector. That has involved introducing new economy-wide sustainability disclosure requirements for businesses, and the kick-starting of a green financing programme with two record-breaking sovereign green bonds: one for around £10 billion on 21 September and a further £6 billion on 21 October, achieving a “greenium”—a premium on what we would have gained from a non-green bond—of around 2.5 base points. We will not be complacent about this. We also need global action on green finance, and the Chancellor recently hosted the COP26 finance day, which saw financial firms with assets of over £130 trillion committing to net zero.

  Full debate: Financial Services: UK Economy

• 1 Dec 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  The right hon. Gentleman’s second point related to the point made yesterday in the other place with respect to the “have regard to” amendments to the FS Act. Obviously, our amendment to include a requirement to have regard to the net zero carbon target will apply after 1 January 2022. That means that the PRA does not need to have regard to climate change considerations in making the Basel III rules, nor the FCA in making the IFPR rules for 1 January 2022. That was done to ensure that there was no delay in implementing the Basel III reforms and the IFPR, but it will be for the regulators to determine going forward how the new duty will operate in practice. The Government anticipate that it should function in much the same way as other obligations during the PRA’s implementation of Basel III standards, such as the need to have regard to the ability of firms to continue to provide finance to business and consumers in the United Kingdom. The key point is that, subsequent to the implementation agreed in the Act, they will have an ongoing obligation to have regard to these matters.

  That sounds like quite an important omission. We do not need to go over the history of it, but the Government themselves tabled an amendment saying that the regulators had to have regard to our net zero obligations. If I understand the Minister correctly, he is saying that it does not apply to the draft regulations, which implement the Basel III regulations—the main international post-financial-crisis measure of regulating banks to ensure that the taxpayer is not on the hook in the future. Is that not quite an important omission from the green direction that both of us want to see for financial regulation?

  Full debate: Draft Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms...

• 03 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @RishiSunak: Today I announced the UK will be the world’s first Net Zero aligned financial centre. We’re rewiring the financial system… [Source]

• 03 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: It’s Finance Day at #COP26 Mobilising finance for #ClimateAction is vital to limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees.… [Source]

• 02 Nov 2021: Tweet

  #COP26 is a crucial opportunity to see our green industrial revolution go global. The Clean Green Initiative does that- funding the rollout of sustainable infrastructure and green tech in developing countries, helping mitigate climate change worldwide. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-launches-new-initiative-to-take-green-industrial-revolution-global https://x.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1455514903465312267/photo/1 [Source]

• 29 Oct 2021: Tweet

  In just 2 days the COP26 Summit will begin in Glasgow – bringing together leaders from more than 120 countries as we come together to tackle climate change. The UK is using its presidency to call for global commitments to change in four key areas. #CoalCarsCashTrees https://twitter.com/COP26/status/1453964816750632960 [Source]

• 27 Oct 2021: Tweet

  RT @hmtreasury: Funding will help to develop and support more green transport options, including zero emissions vehicles and cleaner planes… [Source]

• 20 Oct 2021: Tweet

  Great to see the government taking initiative and setting a clear vision for combatting climate change ahead of COP26. https://twitter.com/10DowningStreet/status/1450458744484159493 [Source]

• 19 Oct 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  Let me begin by stating the obvious: the Government take their responsibility to tackle climate change extremely seriously. That is why in June 2019 the UK became the first major economy to legislate to end our net contribution to climate change by 2050, increasing the ambition of existing commitments under the Climate Change Act 2008, which was introduced by the Labour Government in that year. Just today, we published our net zero strategy, outlining measures to transition to a green and sustainable future.

  The hon. Lady is right to highlight the crucial role of finance and investment in addressing the challenge of climate change. I am pleased to reassure her that we are implementing a credible, practical plan to align that investment to climate change goals, with multiple strands of activity, including engagement with the oil and gas industry, the greening of finance and action on the international stage.

  Our view is that we need actively to engage with and work with fossil fuel companies to get them to reform, and that approach is working. Earlier this year, we agreed the North sea transition deal with the oil and gas industry, to support workers, businesses and the supply chain in preparation for a net zero future by 2050, including the reduction of emissions by 50% by 2030. We also agreed joint Government and oil and gas sector investment of up to £16 billion by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions, with up to £3 billion to replace fossil fuel-based power supplies on oil and gas platforms with renewable energy, up to £3 billion on carbon capture, usage and storage, and up to £10 billion for hydrogen production. Indeed, since 2010 more than £94 billion has been invested in clean energy in the UK.

  Does the Minister support the call that I made in my speech to divest from fossil fuels in our pensions fund? Will the Government support the more than 360 MPs who are supporting the Divest Parliament campaign? It is really important to make the statement ahead of COP26 that this House is committed to divesting, fully and immediately, from fossil fuels.

  The roadmap on sustainable investment sets out details of the new whole-economy sustainability disclosure requirements—the legislative and regulatory changes that will be made to deliver world-leading reporting standards for environmental sustainability. Under these changes, companies and investment products will, for the first time, need to set out the environmental impact of the activities that they finance according to a universal definition of green. At the same time, products must clearly justify any sustainability claims that they make. It is our expectation that firms will use this information to actively engage with investee companies and encourage businesses and shareholders to set, and act on, credible net zero transition plans.

  But I recognise that Government too must take action. Another part of our strategy has therefore been to establish markets to mobilise private capital. That is the thinking behind our green gilt, the first issuance of which last month was the largest ever sovereign green bond issuance, of £10 billion, and was 10 times over-subscribed. It is also part of the rationale for the creation of the UK Infrastructure Bank, which has a specific mandate to help tackle climate change, particularly the transition to net zero by 2050. I was pleased just last week to meet John Flint, the chief executive, who is putting together the team at the UK Infrastructure Bank in Leeds to move forward the investment decisions, and that organisation, as quickly as possible.

  We need to remember that this is also a global problem requiring a global solution, as the hon. Lady acknowledged. That is not an excuse for inaction but rather a simple acknowledgement of the reality. The Government are acting nationally and internationally, and here there are some further reasons for optimism. As a country, we need to be part of a global effort to turn this around, and we are, including as host of next month’s COP26 conference. About 70% of the world’s economy is now covered by net zero targets, up from less than 30% when the UK took on the presidency of COP26. Under the UK’s presidency, all G7 countries committed to put an end to funding fossil fuels and coal power this year. Japan and South Korea have said that they will end public financing for overseas coal-fired power plants, with China then committing to not building any new coal power plants overseas.

  When it comes to transitioning the finance sector, too, we are part of an international effort. In April, the UK played a key role in the launch of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero. When the UK assumed the COP presidency in partnership with Italy 18 months ago, $5 trillion of private financial assets were committed to net zero. Now 300 financial institutions across 40 countries, controlling balance sheets of $100 trillion, are co-ordinating their efforts under this alliance.

  Full debate: Fossil Fuel Industry: Regulation of Investments

• 21 Sep 2021: Tweet

  This is landmark moment for the UK’s green finance agenda and an important milestone ahead of #COP26. We set the record for the largest ever green bond issuance, and the biggest “greenium” achieved - and I am particularly pleased with the strong interest from ESG investors. https://twitter.com/hmtreasury/status/1440323982243164160 [Source]

• 07 Jul 2021: Tweet

  It’s also great to see @BritishInsurers Climate Change Roadmap launch today, providing important tools and guidance to support the insurance industry throughout our transition to #NetZero. https://twitter.com/BritishInsurers/status/1412664484238442496 [Source]

• 07 Jul 2021: Tweet

  The UK is extending its global leadership in green finance ahead of @COP26, so I welcome the @FinStbBoard’s work on climate risks, and the roadmap's goal that all financial risk decisions appropriately take account of #climatechange. https://twitter.com/FinStbBoard/status/1412773905643810818 [Source]

• 1 Jul 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  Ahead of this, HM Treasury and the DMO yesterday published the UK Government green financing framework. This document sets out the Government’s ambitious climate and environmental agenda and their vision for enhancing the UK’s leadership as the world’s preeminent green financial centre. The framework also details how the proceeds from the green gilt and retail green savings bonds will finance expenditures to help tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental challenges, while creating green jobs across the UK.

  Renewable energy

  Climate change adaptation.

  the Carbon Trust has produced a pre-issuance impact report on the UK Government green financing programme, which reviews the Government’s intended allocation of proceeds under the framework and the proposed impact metrics. They found that the allocations “align sensibly” with the Climate Change Committee’s recommended climate targets for the UK (known as its “Sixth Carbon Budget”) and they are “confident that the programme will contribute to achieving net zero by 2050”. This is the first report of its kind among sovereign issuers and provides additional evidence of the coherence of the Government’s green financing programme with its wider environmental agenda.

  Full debate: Publication of UK Government Green Financing Framework

• 21 Jun 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  We expect to consult on detailed policy proposals in the summer, including proposals to delete the share trading obligation and double volume cap, but rest assured, we will aim to deliver a rulebook that is fair, outcomes-based and supports competitiveness, while ensuring that the UK maintains the highest regulatory standards. Undoubtedly, the future of the UK financial services sector is linked to the future of our planet, and that connection is clearer than ever as we prepare to host COP26 in November.

  I mentioned earlier that building a greener industry is a key element of our vision for financial services, and that is why a central focus of the COP26 finance campaign will be to ensure that every professional financial decision takes climate change into account. Furthermore, we believe that financial services have an important part to play in helping us to level up the country by generating jobs and growth, and we are focused on unlocking the hundreds of billions of pounds sitting with UK institutional investors to drive our country forward.

  Full debate: UK’s Financial Services Industry

• 09 Jun 2021: Tweet

  We want investors and businesses to play their part in the transition to net zero, so it’s crucial we have a clear common definition of #whatgreenmeans The advice of #GTAG will help us clamp down on greenwashing and boost sustainable investment. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-independent-group-to-help-tackle-greenwashing [Source]

• 07 Jun 2021: Vote

  Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill — New Clause 1 - Human Rights Abuses - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 26 May 2021: Vote

  Environment Bill — New Clause 24 - Prohibition on burning of peat in upland areas - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 25 Mar 2021: Tweet

  RT @hmtreasury: We’re aiming to ensure every financial decision takes climate change into account. We've extended our global leadership on… [Source]

• 8 Mar 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  As many hon. Members have mentioned, the Government continue to take their world-leading environmental commitment seriously. They remain dedicated to meeting climate change and wider environmental targets, including improving the UK’s air quality.

  Full debate: Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

• 15 Feb 2021: Tweet

  We’ve set the ambition for net zero – now we must ensure our financial sector has the tools and data to get behind the transition. This new centre will bring forward the day when firms can access environmental data & analytics for every place on Earth, past, present and future. https://twitter.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1361216179126345728 [Source]

• 13 Jan 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  New clause 17— Review of impact of Act on UK meeting Paris climate change commitments —

  “The Chancellor of the Exchequer must conduct an assessment of the impact of this Act on the UK meeting its Paris climate change commitments, and lay it before the House of Commons within six months of the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent.”

  This new clause would require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review the impact of the Bill on the UK meeting its Paris climate change commitments.

  “(ba) the target for net UK emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 as amended by the Climate Change Act (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019, and”.

  “(ba) the likely effect of the rules on the UK meeting its international and domestic commitments on tackling climate change, and”.

  This amendment would ensure the likely effect of the rules on the UK meeting its international and domestic commitments on tackling climate change are considered before Part 9C rules are taken.

  “(ca) the target for net UK emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 as amended by the Climate Change Act (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019, and”.

  “(ca) the likely effect of the rules on the UK meeting its international and domestic commitments on tackling climate change, and”.

  This amendment would ensure the likely effect of the rules on the UK meeting its international and domestic commitments on tackling climate change are considered before CRR rules are taken.

  Full debate: Financial Services Bill

• 13 Jan 2021: Vote

  Financial Services Bill — Schedule 2 - Prudential regulation of FCA investment firms - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 08 Dec 2020: Vote

  Delegated Legislation — Financial Assistance to Industry - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 16 Nov 2020: Vote

  Pension Schemes Bill [Lords] — Clause 124 - Climate change risk - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 09 Nov 2020: Tweet

  RT @hmtreasury: The Government will issue its first Sovereign Green Bond in 2021, helping the UK meet its 2050 net zero target and creating… [Source]

• 19 Oct 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  To support insurance firms to provide long-term capital to support growth, including investment in infrastructure, venture capital and growth equity, and other long-term productive assets, as well as investment consistent with the Government’s climate change objectives.

  Full debate: Future Regulatory Framework and Solvency II Reviews

• 12 Oct 2020: Vote

  Agriculture Bill — After Clause 42 - Contribution of agriculture and associated land use to climate change targets - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 29 Sep 2020: Vote

  United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — New Clause 6 - Economic development: climate and nature emergency impact statement - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 11 Sep 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  I wish to put it on record that I fully agree with the ambitions of the hon. Lady’s Bill to support the growth and development of the co-operative and mutual sector and to tackle climate change; I have enjoyed our dialogue during the preparation of the Bill to get to this point. Those are two key drivers of my tenure as Economic Secretary. I also wish to put it on record that the Government have taken significant steps to support the co-operative and mutual sector to reach its potential, and I will continue to champion mutuals of all kinds. Just last week, I was pleased to attend a roundtable on the topic of regional mutual banks chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) who has also made contributions today. I will be taking some of the thoughts from that discussion forward.

  I am conscious that the interest of the hon. Member for Cardiff North is not just in the development of the co-operative sector. In our discussions, her passion for taking action to address climate change and her considerable experience in Wales prior to coming to this place have been abundantly clear to me. The Government share that ambition. As the House will be aware, we legislated to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, becoming the first major economy to do so. In the Budget earlier this year, the Chancellor also announced a series of real, tangible measures to support green growth and tackle climate change. They were wide-ranging, and included committing to the carbon capture and storage infrastructure fund; fulfilling the manifesto commitment to tree planting and peatland restoration through a £640 million Nature for Climate fund; delivering on our commitment to increase the proportion of green gas in the grid by consulting on introducing a Great Britain-wide green gas levy to support biomethane production, alongside other measures to decarbonise heat; and doubling the size of our energy innovation programme. In the summer economic update in July, the Government announced a further ambitious £3.05 billion package for housing decarbonisation designed to cut carbon, save people money and create jobs.

  In my own area of responsibility at the Treasury, green finance is a priority. We published our green finance strategy in July last year. It sets out very clear objectives to align private sector financial flows with clean, environmentally sustainable and resilient growth, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the UK financial sector. The tone of the debate and the content of colleagues’ speeches today have shown that there has to be an almost limitless ambition in terms of the dimensions of interventions. A number of contributions focused on the issue of green bonds and mobilising green finance. That means accelerating investments to support clean growth and our environmental ambitions. I think I would want to say that the issuance of green bonds will be an important part of the pathway to delivering the transition to net zero by 2050. It is something that the Treasury keeps under active and ongoing review as we approach fiscal events in the future.

  To conclude, let me reiterate my sincere gratitude to the hon. Member for Cardiff North for bringing forward this Bill. There has been a constructive discussion today, and it is important to highlight the value of the co-operative and mutual sector, both to the House and the public. I thank her for the way that she has engaged with me and my officials in recent months. Her passion to support the sector and tackle climate change has been clear throughout. As I have indicated to her previously, I will be happy to continue to work with her and representatives from the sector, of which there are a number across the House, to understand what more can be done. I will continue to champion the work of the co-operative sector more generally and address some of the themes of today’s debate, which have been very valid and worth while.

  Full debate: Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies (Environmentally Sustainable Investment) Bill

• 8 Jul 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  It is a plan that puts young people front and centre, with a kick-start scheme that will pay employers to create quality jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds at risk of long-term unemployment, alongside new funding for apprenticeships, traineeships and sector-based work academies. We shall be issuing guidance very shortly on how those schemes will interact with the extra support that we are putting into jobcentres. It also means that we shall invest in infrastructure, decarbonisation, and maintenance projects that will serve the needs of communities across the country, while creating jobs and apprenticeships here and now.

  Full debate: The Economy

• 30 Jun 2020: Tweet

  The finance sector has a vitally important role to play in combating climate change, and through the new @GFI_green Green Finance Education Charter we can ensure green finance and sustainability is central to our work now and in the future https://twitter.com/GFI_green/status/1277881907099979777 [Source]

• 27 Apr 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  This Bill helps in the Government’s efforts to move towards a greener and more sustainable economy, as mentioned by the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Sir Edward Davey), and confirms that the CO 2 emissions figures for vehicle excise duty will be based on the worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure for all new registered cars from 1 April 2020. In addition, zero-emission cars will no longer be subjected to the VED expensive car supplement. These measures will help to ensure that, as our economy develops and grows, it does not jeopardise our environment. I know that many of these measures will attract widespread support across the House. I thank Opposition Members for the constructive and collegiate approach that they have taken over the past few weeks. In that spirit, let me address some of the valuable points raised further in today’s debate.

  Full debate: Finance Bill

• 24 Mar 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  The Government take seriously their climate change responsibilities, including the target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. That means enabling a diverse range of low-carbon technologies, and we see the use of marine renewables in the future energy mix, though developers must demonstrate how those can compete with the low prices achieved by wind and solar technologies.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 05 Feb 2020: Vote

  Transport - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 20 Sep 2019: Tweet

  Extremely proud of our record on climate change. No need for anyone to skip school today when we have decarbonised the economy at the fastest rate in the G20 since 2000 and we were the first major economy to set a legally binding net zero target. #climatestrike [Source]

• 02 Jul 2019: Tweet

  The UK has led the way in tackling #climatechange, but we need to do more. The City must play a role in securing a greener future for us all, and the #GreenFinance Strategy that I’m launching today will help boost more sustainable investment. https://x.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1145976064134582273/photo/1 [Source]

• 25 Jun 2019: Vote

  Delegated Legislation — Value Added Tax - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 12 Jun 2019: Tweet

  Many constituents have raised #ClimateChange with me recently, and I am pleased to say that the Government is today committing to providing the direction they have been asking for. #NetZero by 2050 will make us world leaders and the country to copy when it comes to #CleanGrowth. https://x.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1138797531184455680/photo/1 [Source]

• 26 Apr 2019: Tweet

  Interesting discussion on climate change with local school children - some intelligent questions and useful conversation https://x.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1121832742231191552/photo/1 [Source]

• 11 Feb 2019: Parliamentary Speech

  Turning to the points made by the hon. Member for Wakefield, the UK has publicly led on the development of sustainable finance, as she set out, and the Government are committed to the sustainable finance agenda and are a leader in green finance. That is why we have included these files in the Bill. We recognise that the files form part of the EU’s response to the Paris climate change agreement and the UN sustainable development goals. The Government support the aims of the files and do not consider them harmful to industry at their current stage of development. As such, we were pleased to add them to the schedule to the Bill, and we thank the noble Lords who recommended their inclusion.

  Full debate: Financial Services (Implementation of Legislation) Bill [Lords]

• 17 Oct 2018: Tweet

  We’re fighting one of the biggest challenges of our age: #ClimateChange I opened the @LSEplc this morning to mark #GreenFinanceDay to promote private sector investment that is good for the planet ???? https://x.com/JohnGlenUK/status/1052518326772084737/photo/1 [Source]

• 11 Sep 2018: Parliamentary Speech

  Absolutely. Only two hours ago, the Department for Work and Pensions published its consultation response on pension trustees’ duties, which clearly sets out the Government’s intention to raise the profile of financially material climate change factors in investment decisions.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

  Absolutely. Green energy is very important to the UK economy as a whole; it is just very unfortunate that the rate of growth in the Scottish economy is half as strong as in the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 3 Jul 2018: Parliamentary Speech

  The Government have a number of policies in place to support the development of low-carbon technology, including battery storage technologies. Those include the carbon price support mechanism, which encourages decarbonisation of the power sector; the Government’s smart systems and flexibility plan; and the Faraday challenge fund.

  Full debate: UK Battery Storage Market

• 06 Sep 2016: Vote

  Finance Bill — VAT on Installation of Energy Saving Materials - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 09 May 2016: Vote

  Housing and Planning Bill — Planning obligations and affordable housing - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 03 May 2016: Vote

  Housing and Planning Bill — Neighbourhood right of appeal - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 14 Mar 2016: Vote

  Energy Bill [Lords] — New Clause 8 — Decarbonisation target range - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 14 Mar 2016: Vote

  Energy Bill [Lords] — New Clause 3 — Carbon capture and storage strategy for the energy industry - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 26 Oct 2015: Vote

  Finance Bill (Ways and Means) (Payment of Corporation Tax) — Chapter 5 — Supplementary provisions - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 08 Sep 2015: Vote

  Bill Presented — Devolution (London) Bill — Clause 45 — CCL: removal of exemption for electricity from renewable sources - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 14 Jul 2015: Vote

  21. Climate Change Levy: Removal of Exemption for Electricity from Renewable Sources - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 04 Dec 2013: Vote

  Recall of Elected Representatives — Schedule 4 — Application and modification of emissions limit duty - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 04 Jun 2013: Vote

  Energy Bill — Clause 133 — Financial provisions - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: Aye

• 04 Jun 2013: Vote

  Energy Bill — Clause 10 — Direction to offer contract - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 04 Jun 2013: Vote

  Energy Bill — Clause 1 — Decarbonisation - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 03 Jun 2013: Vote

  Communities and Local Government — Clause 42 — Duty not to exceed annual carbon dioxide emissions limit - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: No

• 19 Dec 2012: Vote

  Charities Act 2011 (Amendment) — Energy Bill - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 17 Oct 2012: Vote

  Relationship, Drug and Alcohol Education (Curriculum) — New Clause 22 — Interpretation of the green purposes: duty to assess impact on the Climate Change Act 2008 - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 11 Jun 2012: Vote

  Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 14 Sep 2011: Vote

  Prime Minister — Clause 42 — Domestic energy efficient regulations - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 14 Sep 2011: Vote

  Prime Minister — Clause 42 — Domestic energy efficient regulations - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 14 Sep 2011: Vote

  Prime Minister — New Clause 1 — Energy efficiency aim - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 11 Nov 2010: Parliamentary Speech

  T5. Can the Minister assure me that he is working closely with his ministerial colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government to ensure that their approach to localism in the context of planning does not unreasonably restrict the diversification of farm businesses as they enthusiastically embrace small-scale renewable energy incentives? ( 23170 )

  Full debate: Topical Questions

• 27 May 2010: Parliamentary Speech

  Thank you, Mr Speaker, for calling me to speak for the first time in the House. It is a great privilege to follow three excellent speeches by the hon. Members for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) and for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) and by my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith), who I am sure will contribute much to Conservative Members’ understanding of issues around the environment and climate change.

  Full debate: Energy and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs