Kerry McCarthy MP: Climate Timeline

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Kerry McCarthy's Climate-related Tweets, Speeches & Votes

We've found the following climate-related tweets, speeches & votes by Kerry McCarthy in the last 90 days

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• 17 Dec 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  We know that nature-based solutions have a key role to play in climate mitigation and keeping to 1.5°C at home and abroad. I have met the Minister for Nature, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry East (Mary Creagh), and the Government have appointed two special representatives for climate and for nature, who will be working closely together too.

  Full debate: Climate Change: Nature-based Solutions

  We are not convinced that the Bill is necessary as a well-developed legislative framework with legally binding targets is already in place, including, of course, the Climate Change Act 2008 and the carbon budgets. However, I appreciate the action on both climate and nature and the hon. Member’s commitment to both. I believe that our offices are already trying to find a date for us to meet.

  Full debate: Climate Change: Nature-based Solutions

  I am aware of the excellent work being carried out at Lochwinnoch. We know that protecting and restoring our peatlands is essential for tackling the climate crisis. We are committed to restoring approximately 280,000 hectares of peatland. We are also looking at innovative ways of getting funding into those nature-based solutions so that they can thrive.

  Full debate: Climate Change: Nature-based Solutions

• 11 Dec 2024: Tweet

  Good to speak at @ClimateCLG event in Parliament yesterday about our domestic and international climate ambitions, and to meet companies working towards clean energy, net zero and sustainability. https://twitter.com/climateclg/status/1866489978294817260 [Source]

• 10 Dec 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  Although the development consent order for Cleve Hill solar park was granted by the previous Government in 2020, as she said, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero may still be involved in any proceedings relating to the implementation of that order. As a result, I cannot comment today on the details of that project. The reasons for the decision and details of supporting plans are available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, as the hon. Lady knows. I am afraid I cannot elaborate or speculate on that published material.

  The hon. Member spoke eloquently about the importance of the site to her constituents—the views, the biodiversity and the birds, and the importance of wetlands. My colleagues in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I are working closely on nature-based solutions to climate change, and wetlands play an important role. I am also glad that the hon. Member acknowledged the importance of reaching our net zero objectives, with that mission for clean power, by 2030.

  As I said, I cannot speak specifically about Cleve Hill, but I hope I can reassure her by speaking in general terms about Government policy. First, it ensures that all local impacts are considered in the planning process. Secondly, it makes a steadfast commitment that those who host clean-energy infrastructure should benefit from it. In order to achieve our goal of clean power by 2030, we will need to deploy various renewable energy sources. According to the recent National Energy System Operator clean power pathway report, we need to increase solar deployment from 15 GW to 47 GW. Along with onshore wind, solar is the cheapest clean power option available to us right now, making it an essential part of the UK’s energy mix. Without a substantial increase in solar deployment, the clean power mission becomes very difficult.

  That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State relaunched the solar taskforce earlier this year. It is also the reason that the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks), who has this portfolio, cannot reply to the debate, because he is at a meeting of the solar taskforce. The taskforce brings together the industry and Government to discuss the actions needed to rapidly increase the deployment of solar panels on rooftops and in solar farms, and it will publish its recommendations in a solar road map very soon.

  We should never lose sight of the core motivation behind our clean energy mission. Clean power generated here in Britain will reduce our dependence on volatile imported fossil fuels. It will provide lower bills in the long term and create thousands of highly skilled future-proofed jobs across the country. Delivering those benefits for the British people requires the development of new infrastructure. We accept that a top priority should be the deployment of solar on rooftops. That is why we are bringing forward new standards to ensure that all newly built houses and commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. We will encourage the installation of solar panels on those buildings where appropriate.

  All proposed solar projects are subject to a robust planning process. Most projects are assessed by local planning authorities themselves, and those assessments are governed by the national planning policy framework, which encourages developers to engage with local communities before submitting an application. Local planning authorities will continue to seek representations from local communities and will continue to weigh local considerations against the need for renewable energy.

  A wide variety of community benefits can be delivered, including funding for local projects, investment in the local area, direct benefits to individuals and, as I said, opportunities for community ownership. Great British Energy will build on existing community energy schemes, helping communities to unlock opportunities through the local power plan. In the hon. Lady’s constituency, up to 1,400 homes are powered by Orchard Community Energy, which is a community-owned solar farm near Sittingbourne that provides power to Swale and Medway. That puts communities at the heart of the energy transition and gives them a stake in the transition to net zero as owners and partners in clean energy projects.

  As I said, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my right hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North, is today at the meeting of the solar taskforce, which brings together industry and Government. It is considering the question of how a community can benefit from the infrastructure that is hosted on their patch, and its recommendations will be published in the solar road map.

  To conclude, the Government are committed to considering the interests of local communities affected by proposed energy infrastructure. I thank the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent for securing the debate and for giving me the opportunity to set out the Government’s vision. We will work to balance the local impact of new projects with the delivery of our clean power mission. The renewable energy transition will always be done through co-operation rather than coercion, ensuring that all parties benefit on our journey to net zero.

  Full debate: Cleve Hill Solar Park

• 28 Nov 2024: Tweet

  Fantastic to see Scottish distilleries harnessing hydrogen's potential to produce whisky in a sustainable way. Through innovations like these we will decarbonise the UK's industries - showing what's possible when we invest in the clean energy transition. https://www.suntoryglobalspirits.com/news/suntory-global-spirits-marks-world-first-hydrogen-direct-fired-distillation-historic-casking [Source]

• 27 Nov 2024: Tweet

  'The UK was proudly back delivering climate leadership at #COP29. My thoughts in @PoliticsHome on why strong action on clean energy at home is so important when working with other countries to tackle climate change. https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/uk-leadership-decisive-decade-global-climate-action [Source]

• 25 Nov 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I thank the shadow Minister for his contribution. As I said, the UK emissions trading scheme is a key pillar of the UK’s net zero policy regime. I am slightly surprised by his decision not to support the SI —perhaps not from a political point of view, but because I am pretty sure that if he was still in the Department occupying the post I am in now, he would have supported the measures. As I said, they are just about ensuring that the scheme retains its credibility and moves forward and adapts to circumstances.

  I am glad the shadow Minister agrees on that. He asked a specific question about the pricing. As the market conveners, we cannot comment on the price. I will leave it at that, other than to say that the market determines the price of the allowances, and opting for the top of the net zero-consistent range means that more allowances will be available while we can still deliver against our net zero trajectory.

  The draft order is a key part of our net zero policy regime. We believe that the maintenance of a strong UK ETS will play a key role in making Britain a clean energy superpower and in delivering our mission of having secure and clean electricity by 2030. By driving green investment as part of our industrial strategy, the UK ETS will also help to deliver a just transition, thereby growing the UK’s economy and securing good jobs for people throughout the country.

  As I said, the changes proposed in the SI will bring in a net zero-consistent cap. I remind the shadow Minister that it was his Government who legislated for net zero, and at one point they were proud of having done that. The SI will also alter the industry cap and expand the scope of the ETS to the venting of CO2 in the upstream oil and gas sector. The change follows a comprehensive consultation on developing the UK ETS that was carried out in 2022. The proposals deliver on commitments made in the response to that consultation in July 2023, when the UK ETS Authority set out a comprehensive package of reforms to the scheme. The proposals have the long-standing support of the four Governments of the UK.

  We, as part of the UK ETS Authority with the devolved Governments, are determined to manage and improve the scheme effectively. Our aim is to be predictable and responsible guardians of the scheme and its markets. We are committed to being attentive to views and to carrying forward changes as required to ensure that the scheme operates efficiently to achieve emissions reductions. The changes to the UK emissions trading scheme in the SI will support the scheme’s role as a cornerstone of the UK’s climate and net zero policy. I therefore commend the draft order to the Committee.

  Full debate: Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024

• 21 Nov 2024: Tweet

  As noted here, JP was passionate about tackling climate change, before many appreciated the need for action. He continued to be so after he stepped down as Deputy PM, eg through Council of Europe @pace_news. A true legend. Also the instigator of Labour conference tweet-ups! https://twitter.com/keir_starmer/status/1859491124710084829 [Source]

• 20 Nov 2024: Tweet

  Proud that the UK will co-chair the Forest Climate Leaders Partnership with Guyana. Delivering on the 2030 goal to halt and reverse forest loss is vital for communities, climate and biodiversity. I look forward to working together to galvanise action on protecting forests. #COP29 https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1859290190658806191/photo/1 [Source]

• 20 Nov 2024: Tweet

  We must move away from coal and towards clean power if we are to keep to 1.5C. The UK is leading the way. As co-chair of the global Powering Past Coal Alliance it was great to speak at #COP29 to reflect on progress we've made and to further raise ambition to phase out coal. https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1859288860859170858/photo/1 https://twitter.com/mgshanks/status/1857104593789829391 [Source]

• 20 Nov 2024: Tweet

  Another important discussion at #COP29 last week. I spent 3 productive days in Baku, speaking at events on climate finance, forests, methane, carbon markets, coal, industrial decarbonisation, sustainable cooling, green grids & more - as well as meeting ministerial counterparts. https://twitter.com/tariyeg/status/1858449560768573918 [Source]

• 17 Nov 2024: Tweet

  Civil society voices play an important role in our fight to tackle the climate crisis @COP29_AZ. Thank you to @CAN_UK_ members for the productive discussion - @CAFOD, @wwf_uk, @christian_aid, @Natures_Voice, @oxfamgb, @savechildrenuk, @GreenpeaceUK & @Global_Witness https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1858059674215428567/photo/1 [Source]

• 14 Nov 2024: Tweet

  A privilege to be at my first COP29 as the UK’s Climate Minister. Action is now more important than ever. Recent and tragic events in Spain have shown again that nothing is more central to the UK’s national interest than delivering global progress on tackling climate change. https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1856992112216096915/photo/1 [Source]

• 13 Nov 2024: Tweet

  Nature protection and tackling the climate crisis must be part of the same conversation ???? Protecting our natural resources will help us in our mission to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Learn more from my visit to @kewgardens where I met @KewScience experts. https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1856631608352059887/video/1 [Source]

• 12 Nov 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I think the shadow Secretary of State needs to seek a debate if she wants to elaborate on these issues. Having attended COP last year as part of a cross-party delegation, I found it incredibly depressing to see the way the UK was received. It is really important that we are stepping up and showing global ambition. Reaching net zero in this country and getting to clean power by 2030 is a massive opportunity, not a cost.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

  We hope that, at COP29 in the coming weeks, we can settle on a figure for a new ambitious goal, which will not just bring in finance from donor countries, but mobilise private sector finance. We will use all the mechanisms we can to ensure that we get money to developing countries as quickly as possible. As my hon. Friend said, it is more urgent than ever to act.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 12 Nov 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  Today, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my right hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Ed Miliband), is already at COP29 in Baku, where he will be leading climate negotiations. He sends his apologies. The Prime Minister is also at COP29 and will be speaking at the global leaders summit, announcing our ambitious 1.5°C-aligned nationally determined contribution and showing that the UK is truly back on the international stage. A written statement will also be made later today.

  Full debate: Climate Change: International Leadership

  On the question of looking at our policies across the piece, that is very much my job. We will be responding soon to the Committee on Climate Change’s report, which the hon. Lady will know was quite critical of the previous Government’s action. We will be setting out our plan to implement the NDC and looking at the next carbon budget. All those things require effort share across Departments to ensure we actually meet them. It is about not just setting ambitious targets, but making sure that, unlike the previous Government, we have a strategy to get us there.

  Full debate: Climate Change: International Leadership

  I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I know he was at Cali. There was some progress on such issues as digital sequence information, but more needs to be done. We are very seized of the need to join up action on the nature and climate crisis. When I head out to COP29 tomorrow, Members will hopefully hear more from us on our efforts to protect forests and on the support we are giving to countries at risk of deforestation. We are also looking at nature-based solutions to climate change. The nature Minister—the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry East (Mary Creagh)—will be out there as well, and we will have more to say, but I entirely agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Mr Perkins) that we cannot deal with one crisis in isolation from the other.

  Full debate: Climate Change: International Leadership

  The energy Minister—the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks)—is very much involved with that issue. We have also set up the energy superpower mission board, headed by Chris Stark. I had a conversation with him yesterday about what we can do to ensure grid capacity and grid connections in the right places. If the hon. Lady has a specific issue to raise and would like to write to me, I will make sure it is passed on to him.

  Full debate: Climate Change: International Leadership

• 12 Nov 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  We agree that fusion could be a globally transformative green energy solution. The UK Government’s fusion programme continues to lead the world in the development of fusion energy, and our ambition is to continue to do so.

  Full debate: Fusion Power Plants

• 22 Oct 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  My hon. Friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth will be aware that one of the Prime Minister’s five missions for national renewal is making Britain a clean energy superpower, including delivering clean power by 2030 and accelerating to net zero. As has been mentioned, we have wasted no time in getting started. Within our first 100 days in government, we lifted the onshore wind ban in England, consented to more nationally significant solar projects than had been consented to in the past 14 years, and delivered the most successful renewables auction in British history. Now we are busy setting up Great British Energy, which will drive clean energy deployment, creating jobs, boosting energy independence and ensuring that UK taxpayers, bill payers and communities reap the benefits of clean, secure, home-grown energy. As we heard, Cornwall has a vital role to play in that clean energy mission, and indeed our mission to secure economic growth.

  As I said, unlocking Cornwall’s potential is slightly different from going into other areas. That is absolutely key. Planning was mentioned; we must undo some of the blockages in the planning system. In relation to the grid, I very much remember, from when I visited, the knock-on impact of the fact that the transmission line goes only as far as Indian Queens. Until we create the grid infrastructure to cover the right areas and provide sufficient capacity, we cannot deliver on Cornwall’s potential. I think that one of the things holding the Eden Project back with its geothermal work was that it could not get that broader grid connection. The former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark, has been put in charge of the mission board, and one of his key tasks is to bring in a more strategic approach to grid planning, speed it up and stop those blockages that mean that projects just do not get off the ground because they are stuck in that system.

  Looking at Cornwall, we have mentioned floating offshore wind, onshore wind, geothermal, tidal, solar, lithium, tin and manganese. Can the Minister name anywhere else in the UK where there is such a distillation of critical minerals and renewable energy opportunities? I am very excited by what she said about the cluster concept. Would not Cornwall be an ideal place to be an official cluster for renewables and critical minerals?

  Full debate: Renewable Energy: Cornwall

• 21 Oct 2024: Tweet

  @CBItweets @ClimateCLG @fsb_policy @BroadwayInit @AldersgateGrp @COP29_AZ We must galvanise international action to protect people who are on the front line of the climate crisis. With < month to @COP29_AZ, great to have conversations about how we can work to achieve this with @CAN_UK_ , @e3g, @wwf_uk @GreenAllianceUK @Natures_Voice and more. 3/3 https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1848404314202558732/photo/1 [Source]

• 21 Oct 2024: Tweet

  British businesses are leading the way on net zero. I met with @CBItweets @ClimateCLG @fsb_policy @BroadwayInit @AldersgateGrp and others to discuss how we can work together to ensure a successful @cop29_AZ, so UK businesses can support and benefit from green growth. 2/3 https://x.com/KerryMP/status/1848376210847400286/photo/1 [Source]

• 21 Oct 2024: Tweet

  As part of pre-COP29 engagement, as well as discussions with parliamentarians I’ve been meeting with businesses and NGOs, with other roundtables, including with young climate activists, to follow. 1/3 https://twitter.com/kerrymp/status/1846525459346915785 [Source]

• 16 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Good to join @ClimateAPPG yesterday and see the interest from MPs ahead of next month’s COP29. Was able to update them on my recent participation in the pre-COP sessions and the UK’s commitment to domestic and global leadership. https://twitter.com/climateappg/status/1846506195298730307 [Source]

• 28 Sep 2024: Tweet

  RT @energygovuk: Acting to prevent the climate crisis is all about working together to create a safer, energy secure future ???? That's why… [Source]

• 27 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Interesting conversation on industrial decarbonisation with speakers from US, Germany and Chile. At home the UK is working to deliver zero-carbon power by 2030, but we need collective action to decarbonise industry globally. That is where the Climate Club can help. https://twitter.com/KerryMP/status/1839692359027577067/photo/1 [Source]

• 26 Sep 2024: Tweet

  First speech of the day, talking about the UK’s support for innovative climate finance and @climatefinlab’s work. https://twitter.com/climatest/status/1839294530098704896 [Source]

• 26 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Yesterday I reaffirmed UK support for consulting on voluntary high integrity carbon markets during #ClimateWeekNYC Carbon markets are a key tool to raise finance for developing countries, enabling new technologies and land management practices to help us tackle climate change. https://twitter.com/KerryMP/status/1839340668403196178/photo/1 [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  RT @SadiqKhan: Delighted to see the UK government committing to CHAMP - a crucial step forward in our fight against the climate crisis. G… [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  I'm proud to sign an agreement with @helderbarbalho and the state of Para in Brazil, host of #COP30 and home to the Amazon Rainforest, to protect the world's forests and biodiversity through high quality carbon credits that will deliver for local communities and the climate. https://twitter.com/KerryMP/status/1839029028222554223/photo/1 [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Good to catch up with @huw4ogmore, to hear how Wales has been engaging with the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership, despite the UK not being one of the 72 countries to sign up at COP28. Glad to be able to confirm today that this UK Government will join #CHAMP. https://twitter.com/wgclimatechange/status/1838642870300946692 [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Delighted to sign the UK to CHAMP at #ClimateWeekNYC – showing our commitment to working with sub-national and local government to meet our climate goals and accelerate to net zero. Good to meet with 3ci, @c40cities, city leaders like @JustinMBibb and investors this morning. https://twitter.com/KerryMP/status/1838933269410201736/photo/1 [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Important meetings and events on methane, deforestation, energy security for Ukraine, carbon markets, the role of cities in reaching net zero, renewables, and exchanging ideas with the Planetary Guardians, Project Everyone and the High Ambition Coalition. [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  A very productive couple of days at #ClimateWeekNYC. I'm here to raise global ambition and build alliances so that we can drive the transition to cleaner energy, support those most vulnerable to the climate crisis and make real progress on keeping our 1.5 climate commitment. 1/ [Source]

• 24 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Missing #LabourConference as I’m in New York for #UNGA2024 and #ClimateWeekNYC but great to see Liverpool chosen as the first @UN Accelerator City for climate change action. Liverpool is one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports. Look forward to them showing how it can be done! https://twitter.com/dcms/status/1838520820714316261 [Source]