Wera Hobhouse MP: Climate Timeline

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Wera Hobhouse's Climate-related Tweets, Speeches & Votes

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

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• 11 Nov 2024: Tweet

  Solar for Schools is dedicated to energy and decarbonisation education powered by the sun. They install solar panels to reduce carbon footprints and provide valuable educational tools. Impacting over 200 schools and 100,000 students. #EmpowerYourStudents https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1856008137284661333/photo/1 [Source]

• 11 Nov 2024: Tweet

  With Trump newly elected, it's never been more important for the UK to show unequivocal commitment to climate action. COP29 presents the golden opportunity for the Prime Minister to be a global climate leader once more, and ratchet up our new Paris Agreement targets for 2035. https://twitter.com/UNFCCC/status/1855959914121740664 [Source]

• 08 Nov 2024: Tweet

  With COP29 just around the corner, these are wise words of warning from the UN secretary general. Most leading climate scientists anticipate global heating will exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. There's no time to waste. Across the globe, it's essential to act now. https://twitter.com/guardianeco/status/1854750988852437244 [Source]

• 30 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Reclaiming our leadership in Climate Action #COP29 is a powerful call from @LibDems @EdwardJDavey The government can’t just give lip service to their promise but must close the huge investment gap between money going into fossil fuel projects and investment driving renewables. https://twitter.com/bbcpolitics/status/1851602163618705842 [Source]

• 29 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Tackling the crisis in renewable energy capacity is absolutely vital for reaching Net Zero. That's why it was great to meet with @LowCarbon_UK to discuss how policy can adapt to address these challenges going forward. https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1851272937380143558/photo/1 [Source]

• 29 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Community energy is a surefire way of bringing hearts and minds with us on the road to Net Zero. Yet, its importance is not duly recognised in the Great British Energy Bill. My article for @BusinessGreen sets out why it should be front and centre of the UK's energy strategy???? https://twitter.com/BusinessGreen/status/1851053104663257262 [Source]

• 29 Oct 2024: Tweet

  I am delighted to be elected to the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee. There has never been a more important time to scrutinise the nation's energy strategy and path to Net Zero. I look forward to getting to work with my fellow Committee members. https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1851206027049328954/photo/1 [Source]

• 28 Oct 2024: Tweet

  We need to see real ambition for Net Zero in Wednesday's Budget - so that people and planet have the support they need to thrive. @TheCCCUK's recommendation to commit to reducing emissions by 81% from 1990 to 2035 lays bare that we have no time to waste in taking action. https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1850908882354176103/photo/1 https://twitter.com/friends_earth/status/1850086551289532742 [Source]

• 28 Oct 2024: Tweet

  As climate change is one of the biggest threats to food security - it’s critical that we address the two in tandem. Grazing animals and crops can thrive alongside solar installations while providing financial benefits to hardworking farmers. It's a clear win-win. https://twitter.com/richardwyatt/status/1849387465749983548 [Source]

• 24 Oct 2024: Tweet

  RT @EnvironmentAPPG: Great to see our supporters discussing renewable energy and food security yesterday ???? Climate change is "at the heart… [Source]

• 24 Oct 2024: Tweet

  The PM can do both - acknowledge past responsibilities and look to the future. As he wants to focus discussions on tackling climate change, a meaningful contribution to the #lossanddamagefund which was finally set up at #COP28 would go a long way. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6vy79p750o [Source]

• 24 Oct 2024: Tweet

  The PM can do both - acknowledge past responsibilities and look to the future. Climate Change is affecting many of these island states worst. A meaningful contribution to the #loss&damage fund which was finally set up #COP28 would go a long way. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6vy79p750o [Source]

• 24 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Brilliant chat with @cleanaircatf about how we can tackle methane emissions effectively. In 2022, methane contributed to around 14% of our emissions???? It was great to hear about innovative solutions to reduce methane emissions in a cost-effective and efficient way. https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1849390738133369132/photo/1 [Source]

• 22 Oct 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  As we have already heard, the threat to UK food security comes not from renewable energy projects, but from a number of complex interrelated issues relating to how our food is produced, how it is subsidised, sold onto the middleman and supermarkets, and to a demand and supply mechanism that is broken.

  At the heart of our food supply problems globally is climate change. Therefore, tackling climate change must be our top priority. Solar plays a major part in our efforts to get to net zero. More renewables also means less dependence on oil and gas and better security for our constituents when it comes to their energy bills. This year, England will produce 26% less wheat than in 2023. This comes after the wettest 18 months since records began. The loss of wheat in 2024 alone is over 5,000 times greater than the loss of food production caused by three new solar farms being approved in July. These are the figures we need to take into consideration.

  When it comes to food supply and security, solar farms are a drop in the ocean compared with what we lose to the climate crisis. Meeting the UK Government’s plans for increasing solar energy by 2035 would mean using about 0.3% of the UK’s land—and we have already heard the comparison with golf courses. We need to look at how we sensibly use all our land. My constituency of Bath is served by solar energy from Lightsource BP, which is helping the UK to transition to net zero through solar projects. Projects like these need timely grid connection, and the Minister will know that that is currently the biggest barrier to farmers diversifying their income through renewable energy.

  Full debate: Large-scale Energy Projects and Food Security

• 22 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Animals and crops can thrive alongside solar installations - providing many financial benefits to farmers. As climate change is one of the biggest threats to food security, supporting renewables can help us bolster it. It's high time we changed the narrative on solar farms????☀️ https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1848767786794758591/video/1 [Source]

• 16 Oct 2024: Tweet

  An exciting meeting with @NetZeroAPPG to introduce new MPs to the important work of @theCCCuk and the political choices we are facing to get to Net Zero. It's vital that we take people with us on the journey to a greener future, while not losing sight of our aims ⚡️???? https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1846558743078552047/photo/1 [Source]

• 15 Oct 2024: Tweet

  RT @EnvironmentAPPG: We're running a Climate & Nature Leadership Programme with @ClimateAPPG This is a unique platform to step up and driv… [Source]

• 15 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Great to meet with @newcleoenergy yesterday to talk about the future of nuclear energy⚡️ We had an insightful discussion about Advanced Modular Reactors and how the UK can progress toward Net Zero. https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1846156064678609167/photo/1 [Source]

• 15 Oct 2024: Tweet

  It's #RecycleWeek!♻️ Recycling is absolutely essential for reducing waste and combatting climate change, but it can sometimes be difficult to know what you can recycle, and where. To learn more about what you can recycle, click the link below!???? #WestOfEnglandRecycles https://twitter.com/bathnes/status/1846106256609607879 [Source]

• 09 Oct 2024: Tweet

  25 out of 35 of the Earth's vital signs were found to be worse than ever recorded last year. With climate experts declaring that the "future of humanity hangs in the balance", it's more important than ever that we take climate mitigation seriously. Delaying is not an option. https://twitter.com/guardianeco/status/1843656236413399270 [Source]

• 08 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Waste plants release 1 tonne of CO2 per tonne of waste incinerated. While we must work to improve recycling & encourage more sustainable packaging - we can't ignore the current reality. That's why I asked @Ed_Miliband about scaling up carbon capture for waste incineration???? https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1843610097882472641/video/1 [Source]

• 07 Oct 2024: Tweet

  Last year, rivers dried up at the highest rate in 30 years. From extreme flooding to severe droughts, the effects of climate change are playing out in rivers all around us. With over 5bn people expected to struggle to access water by 2050, we must mitigate these effects now. https://twitter.com/horton_official/status/1843206788948336829 [Source]

• 01 Oct 2024: Tweet

  We often have more renewable energy than we need, meaning some risks being wasted. I talked to @GivEnergy about how adequate storage facilities help us preserve energy for when we need it. It's also critical for providing cheaper and cleaner energy to combat fuel poverty????️⚡️ https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1841058327360401730/video/1 [Source]

• 30 Sep 2024: Tweet

  This is incredibly welcome news. I am proud of my @LibDemLords colleagues for passing an amendment to the Energy Bill, preventing the Government from opening new coal mines in England. Together, we can ensure a just transition so that everyone can benefit from Net Zero. https://twitter.com/guardianeco/status/1840528004499554528 [Source]

• 27 Sep 2024: Tweet

  This shocking data lays bare the disastrous legacy of the Conservatives. The UK is already one of the most nature depleted countries in the world - but biodiversity is vital for agriculture and battling climate change. We must now work at pace to fix the mess they left behind. https://twitter.com/guardianeco/status/1839174090449629242 [Source]

• 26 Sep 2024: Tweet

  A pleasure to meet @Nick__Arnold, International Ambassador of the RePower Ukraine Foundation???????? The flexibility of renewable energy means it can be used across so many sectors. Below Nick outlines how renewables are vital for supporting medics & powering hospitals in Ukraine???? https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1839304453155074187/video/1 [Source]

• 25 Sep 2024: Tweet

  It was an honour to be invited to the Solar and Storage Live at the NEC - a largest UK show for the #solarenergy industry Increasingly solar and storage go together. The industry is making fantastic progress, turbo charging the race to net zero. ⁦@SolarEnergyUK_⁩ https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1838901133818892777/photo/1 [Source]

• 18 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Failing to mitigate climate change can have catastrophic consequences for everyone. But women and girls are overwhelmingly affected by climate displacement. Many of the solutions are starting us right in the face - it's time we started taking serious climate action ???? https://twitter.com/Equal2030/status/1833127217188024589 [Source]

• 17 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Heat pumps are the net zero future for our home, and now is the time to have the capacity, skills and incentives to make it happen. ⁦Excellent to have @_MCS_Foundation⁩ at @libdems conference to provide robust evidence of how the transition can work successfully https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1836007863824605435/photo/1 [Source]

• 17 Sep 2024: Tweet

  New green infrastructure is critical for our transition to Net Zero. But if the government fails to engage with local communities on its development, they could run into trouble. @LibDems will always champion local voices to ensure Net Zero delivers for people & the planet ????️???? https://twitter.com/LeftFootFwd/status/1835002955453677739 [Source]

• 16 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Starting off Monday morning with an excellent roundtable discussion with ⁦@SMFthinktank⁩ and the City of London on how to ramp up green finance so that getting to net zero is not held back by lack of private investment. We are in the delivery phase now. #LDConf https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1835620592608772149/photo/1 [Source]

• 15 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Great to meet renewable pioneers CWP Energy at the ⁦#LDConf. A chance to talk through the challenges and opportunities to power our way to a decarbonised electricity grid in quick time. And a good discussion on how electricity prices can drop once the 15 year CfDs expire. https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1835433407641223416/photo/1 [Source]

• 14 Sep 2024: Tweet

  I am proud that ⁦we @LibDems are wholeheartedly committed to tackling the climate crisis. In an unstable world - this commitment has never been more important. This morning I co-chaired a consultation on updating our Net Zero policies to address the changing climate. #LDconf https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1835000737530568982/photo/1 [Source]

• 14 Sep 2024: Tweet

  I am proud that ⁦@LibDems⁩ had the most ambitious manifesto for the 2024 GE but we never stand still when it comes to campaigning on Climate and Nature. This morning I co-chaired a consultation on how to update our #NetZero policies and to bring about a new urgency #LDconf https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1834991665129349515/photo/1 [Source]

• 12 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Nature is absolutely critical for effective climate action. We know first-hand in Bath the personal benefits of access to green spaces???? That’s why I am pushing for nature restoration to be a top priority in discussions at COP29 this winter???? https://twitter.com/richardwyatt/status/1833828301887914377 [Source]

• 11 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Hydrogen will be absolutely critical on our journey to Net Zero. With @h2ukorg, I met industry leaders who are united in turbocharging the hydrogen agenda. Great to chat to David Eccles who leads Hydrogen South West about how we can become a global hub for low-carbon hydrogen. https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1833883447661609152/photo/1 [Source]

• 11 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Only 16% of global climate finance needs are currently being met. It was therefore a pleasure to host a roundtable discussion on green tech startups. We discussed financial support mechanisms that help startups on their journey from a bright idea to a viable business???? https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1833869354896871721/photo/1 [Source]

• 11 Sep 2024: Tweet

  A pleasure to chat with @theADEuk about their new report 'Demanding More'. It's fantastic to be able to work alongside the Association for Decentralised Energy as a Vice President. Together, we will keep pushing to deliver decarbonised energy to meet our Net Zero goals ⚡️ https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1833795580251828553/photo/1 [Source]

• 10 Sep 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  The hon. Members for Bristol Central (Carla Denyer) and for Stratford and Bow (Uma Kumaran) were absolutely right to say that the UK has a huge responsibility to show climate leadership.

  The hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), who never misses an opportunity to speak in debates about net zero, spoke up for the nations that are being left behind and made the point that we need to bring everybody with us. I do not agree with everything the hon. Gentleman says about climate change, but we definitely agree on that point.

  I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Pippa Heylings) for her intervention, in which she said that we need, and should work towards having, a climate envoy at COP29.

  Last but not least, we heard powerful points on the importance of water, which is becoming a massive issue with climate change, as water shortages will drive a lot of displacement. Those points were well made.

  The UN is not a world Government, and COP can work only on a consensual basis. Effective diplomacy is therefore essential in coming to arrangements. Although the agreements made at COPs are not legally binding, we must not underestimate their importance in setting the global agenda on climate change. COPs are also crucial to getting polluters to engage with climate-vulnerable countries, many of which have been severely impacted by climate change and are on the brink of climate catastrophe.

  COP28 resulted in countries agreeing to “transition away” from fossil fuels, using the strongest language ever used in respect of the phasing out of fossil fuels. This marked a significant step forward. Regrettably, despite excitement that the COP28 agreement saw the beginning of the end for fossil fuels, the actual text was undermined by loopholes and was flawed given the absence of timescales. That means there is even more emphasis on the upcoming COP29 summit, which will be more important than ever. Strengthening the wording on the acceleration away from fossil fuels must be the first priority. That will require rapid and sustained emission reduction, and increasing renewables will be crucial.

  The Liberal Democrats absolutely agree with the Green party about the focus on renewables. At COP28, a commitment was made to triple renewable energy. The commitment marks progress; now, action must follow. Climate finance must be increased if the agreements of COP28 are to be honoured.

  Here at home, I urge everybody to support the climate and nature Bill. Nature is critical for effective climate action, and biodiversity is our greatest natural defence against climate change. The CAN Bill would require the Government to rapidly reduce our carbon footprint and protect and restore ecosystems, and would ensure that the Government take responsibility for the environmental damage caused by our supply chains.

  Halting and reversing deforestation made it into the final text of a COP agreement for the first time at COP28, with Governments agreeing on the need to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. But forests continue to be decimated for crops. Reversing deforestation is also a responsibility for importing countries such as the UK, which must eliminate deforestation from their supply chains. Deforestation must be a big focus for COP29, and ideas such as a compensation fund for conserving standing rainforest should be part of the discussion.

  No country should be left behind in our shared goal of halting warming. Article 6 of the Paris agreement is all about helping countries to work together to meet their climate goals through the voluntary transfer of carbon credits. At COP28, we were unable to finalise this; we look ahead to COP29 to make it easier for countries to collaborate on lower emissions.

  Finalising the new collective quantified goal on climate finance must also be a focus. The NCQG aims to set a new financial target for supporting developing countries in their climate actions. The timeframe for the goal is crucial: a short goal will inspire a sense of urgency to get finance flowing where it is needed.

  It is reassuring that the new Government have committed to ending licensing for exploring new oil and gas, and I hope Labour will take this promising start on to the world stage and negotiate for an agreement that goes further and faster than the agreement made last year. It is particularly important that the more developed nations remain the driving force behind the global journey to net zero, setting a good example and bringing the international community along with us.

  At COP28 we understood that COP’s work was based on three pillars of action: mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage. Mitigation is where we have made reasonable progress; adaptation is the next challenge.

  The second pillar of climate change is adaptation. It is essential to adjust to climate change as it is happening. As we speak now, we see it everywhere. The Climate Change Committee has advised that the gap between the level of climate risk we face and the level of adaptation under way has widened in the past few years. Estimated adaptation costs in developing countries are five to 10 times greater than current public adaptation finance flows. At home, sea levels could rise by over a metre by the end of the century.

  The more we put off adaptation measures, the more difficult and expensive it will be in the future. National adaptation plans or NAPs—another acronym—are a vital part of this. COP29 must focus on financial and technical assistance, and close the adaptation finance gap. Another part of the COP28 agreement that needs action is the overreaching global goal of adaptation. A long time in the making, that agreement is welcome, but its framework does not adequately address the financial support needed. The GGA requires quantified, measurable targets to mobilise finance.

  The third and final pillar, and the one of most importance if we look around the planet, is loss and damage. The launch of the loss and damage fund at COP28 was a breakthrough: it marked an important step in Britian’s relationship with climate-vulnerable countries. However, the money that was pledged was miserable. It is shameful that we, a rich nation, could not come up with more. COP29 should establish long-term commitments from countries to make adequate annual contributions.

  Under the previous Conservative Government, the UK’s contribution to the loss and damage fund came from pre-existing climate finance commitments and the foreign aid budget. Foreign aid is vital, but it is separate from climate action; it is about education, health and so on. To put the two together was either cynical or a huge misunderstanding; it makes a mockery of the whole principle. The idea of the fund is that richer nations should support poorer ones, no strings attached. Simply redirecting pre-pledged finances to the fund was a real dereliction of duty. COP29 is the moment for countries to stand by their pledges by announcing concrete steps to achieve them. The implementation of the fund must be led by the needs of countries vulnerable to climate change, rather than the interests of donor countries.

  To conclude, national and international action on climate change is not a nice-to-have luxury, but an imperative to avoid the inevitable destruction of livelihoods around the world and the potential of large-scale conflict and mass displacement. The stakes could not be higher. We might have to reinvest a fraction of our wealth, but the benefits of that are immeasurable.

  Full debate: COP29: UK Priorities

• 10 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Bath has been let down by unreliable services for too long due to the Conservatives’ disgraceful cuts. We have so much to gain from locally-run bus services. From less congestion to better air quality, improving the network can accelerate our journey on the road to Net Zero???? https://twitter.com/richardwyatt/status/1833487648662462468 [Source]

• 10 Sep 2024: Tweet

  The richest countries are the biggest polluters - leaving many of the poorest on the front line of the climate catastrophe. But their financial needs far outstrip the money flowing towards them. That's why COP29 must set out commitments to fund and protect vulnerable nations???? https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1833488910099345579/video/1 [Source]

• 10 Sep 2024: Tweet

  We must champion technological advances in Sustainable Aviation Fuels to get Net Zero air travel off to a flying start✈️ There's an abundance of sustainable jobs in the industry that can be created if we focus on kickstarting a green aviation revolution???? https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1833445057891897518/video/1 [Source]

• 9 Sep 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I sense that there is a great deal of consensus across the House on this statutory instrument. There is consensus that the aviation sector is one of the hardest to decarbonise, and probably also that the new technology that is being proposed—SAF, in its different iterations—needs a great deal of technological knowledge. However, the principle of taking the first steps towards creating the SAF mandate—of the requirement for SAF to meet 2% of total jet fuel demand from 1 January, and of increasing that on a linear basis, to 10% by 2030 and to 22% by 2040—has no opposition, and we will absolutely support the Government in that effort.

  We know that biofuels are not a long-term solution, as they compete with food production. SAF from waste, the next generation of SAF, is not a long-term solution either. It is obviously part of the solution, but as the shadow Minister has pointed out, the real challenge is to get to the third generation SAFs—that is, synthetic fuels. We need to develop them as soon as possible, and they need a great deal of electricity. Whatever we say about this, direct air capture needs a great deal of electricity. Producing hydrogen in a sustainable way—that is, getting to green hydrogen—will also need a great deal of electricity. The crunch in all this is: where is all that renewable energy coming from, unless we are ultimately overproducing renewable energy? I believe that GB Energy will have a big say in this and will be crucial in developing all the renewable energy that will ultimately help us to decarbonise the aviation sector. This is really the challenge.

  While I welcome the kick-start of a journey to net zero in aviation, the 10% to 22% mandate between 2030 and 2040 is a concern for the Liberal Democrats. We want to get to net zero by 2045, but having planes still running on 78% fossil fuels is just not good enough. The UK has the third largest aviation network in the world and the second largest aerospace manufacturing sector. Almost 1 million UK jobs are directly or indirectly supported by the aviation sector. The future of the aviation industry with SAF is obviously a wonderful opportunity and challenge. Making the right choices on SAF will ensure that the UK can continue to be a global leader, and I think that we are as one across the House in wanting this to happen in order to make the UK the global leader in this area.

  It is only right that we take these steps, which support decarbonisation and also create the jobs that we need in the future. What is important is that the Government collaborate with the aviation fuel suppliers to ensure that this initiative really succeeds. I would like to hear a little more detail from the Minister about how the Government will work alongside suppliers to make this a long-term success.

  As I have said, we welcome this, but there are other examples of what we can do in the meantime to decarbonise the sector. For example, we could ban short-haul domestic flights on journeys that can be done by rail in less than 2.5 hours. Such a ban already exists in France, so it would be good if the Government at least looked at this. The cost of flying must be linked to the environmental cost. It is ridiculous that I can, at least on some journeys, fly 100 miles to a European city for less than it costs me to go by train from Bath to London. The Liberal Democrats would focus on those who fly the most to reduce the unfair burden on households who fly only once or twice a year. Plus, we would impose a new super-tax on private jet flights and remove VAT exemptions for private, first-class and business-class flights.

  Full debate: Transport

• 09 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Tomorrow, join @transitionbath on a walk to celebrate & explore local sites promoting organic crops and soil regeneration???? Both are vital for fighting climate change, and I am proud to see our community leading the way once more. ⏰11AM ????@bathorganicgrp, Lower Common site. https://twitter.com/Bathscape/status/1833057953152106986 [Source]

• 06 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Green economic growth could bring £1trn to UK businesses - an immense opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. We must prioritise Net Zero to maximise the vast economic & environmental rewards that it can offer to communities in the UK. Anything less would be a major misstep. https://twitter.com/guardianmoney/status/1831926197938471356 [Source]

• 06 Sep 2024: Tweet

  A reminder that this weekend @ClimateCornwall are screening their new film ‘Power To The People’ here in Bath. The Little Theatre Cinema???? 4pm, 8th September???? The film explores the opportunities brought by renewables, delving into what a green energy future might look like. https://twitter.com/ClimateCornwall/status/1829791241934159888 [Source]

• 5 Sep 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  Championing renewable energy is in our DNA as Liberal Democrats. Renewables are clean, cheap and popular. We welcome the fact that the new Government are turning around the damaging attitude taken by the Conservative Government and are attempting to make the UK once more a global leader in getting to net zero. We are absolutely on the side of the Government when it comes to the ambitious targets that are being set to get to net zero. We are pleased that through the Bill new steps are being taken to restore British investment in the green economy. The Bill must ensure that renewable energy and home insulation can be rolled out at speed so that we meet our climate targets, bring down energy bills and provide green, well-paid jobs in the future.

  The previous Conservative Government’s obsession with oil and gas left us in a mess. The dithering, delaying and even denying of the Tory Government held us back. I have often said that net zero is not like a bus that we can miss and say, “Whoops! We’ll get the next one.” This is a target that we cannot miss, and delaying is just as bad as denying that climate change is happening at all.

  I am happy to respond to that, because I do believe that the UK was a global leader. There was cross-party agreement about net zero, but the last Government broke that agreement. That is our problem. Each year and each month matters when it comes to setting the pace to get to net zero. Instead of producing our own renewable energy, we were left reliant on fossil fuels—the energy of the past—and on dictators such as Vladimir Putin. In this unstable geopolitical environment, that was a death sentence and led to the catastrophe of the recent energy crisis.

  It is clear that if we are to hit our net zero targets, we must drive up investment in renewable energy. The Climate Change Committee’s 2024 progress report found that policy reversals and delays, together with inconsistent messaging, hindered progress just when acceleration was needed. Only around one third of the emission reductions required to meet the 2030 target are covered by our current plans. I challenged the shadow Secretary of State on what the Conservatives’ plans for decarbonising actually are, but we have had no answers. We must, for example, at least triple the operational capacity of offshore wind installations to meet our 2030 targets—and we Liberal Democrats absolutely believe in the 2030 targets.

  New first-in-class renewable energy technologies are coming on the scene thick and fast, and the Government must find better mechanisms for funding them than we currently have in place. One example, if I may bring it up, is DRIFT Energy, which is based in my Bath constituency. I hope the Secretary of State is listening. DRIFT uses sailing ships to travel to the deep sea to harvest deep ocean wind and generate green hydrogen. Interesting technology is coming on board, but these new technologies still face many investment problems. The green hydrogen is then delivered to ports around the world—they are essentially fishing ships for energy. Truly novel technology like this does not fit neatly under a Department, so it becomes exceptionally hard to win grants, let alone multimillion-pound grant support. It is important that we are aware of that.

  Does my hon. Friend agree that we need the Bill to look at and include schemes like the Cheltenham green deal, run by Cheltenham borough council, through which local organisations that could not otherwise fund green schemes are able to access funding borrowed by the local council? Such schemes will then make money and provide a return for the taxpayer so that local areas can start producing more renewable energy for themselves—for example, through the investment in solar panels on the roof of Cheltenham Town football club.

  We Liberal Democrats realise the importance of community buy-in. The new Government must put local voices at the centre of the journey to deliver net zero. We need to win hearts and minds to persuade people that net zero projects are good for their communities, for their pockets and for our future national economy.

  The Government have said that they believe communities that host renewable energy infrastructure should benefit from it, but there are currently no ways to force developers of on-ground mounted solar panel farms to provide community benefits. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government should use this Bill to make provisions for guaranteed community benefits in these circumstances?

  As I have said, we need to win hearts and minds to persuade people. Only with local consent can we successfully deliver the path to net zero, which is why we have called for communities living near large-scale infrastructure projects to receive community benefits—for example, through reducing energy costs and funding local initiatives. We are keen to work collaboratively to ensure that these benefits are in place in legislation.

  I will lay out what I think is necessary. Without the inclusion of community energy, the Bill will be a major missed opportunity. In the past, the now Secretary of State and his Ministers have been vocal champions of community energy. In a previous debate on making Britain a clean energy superpower, the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks), stated:

  To conclude, we Liberal Democrats welcome the steps being taken to restore British investment in renewable energy after the mess left by the previous Government. These steps will help us to bring down energy bills, create high-quality jobs, increase our energy security and, of course, reach net zero. However, there is a clear gap in this Bill for community energy, despite Labour’s manifesto committing to it, and we urge the Government to listen to our concerns.

  Full debate: Great British Energy Bill

• 05 Sep 2024: Tweet

  We must win hearts and minds to show that Net Zero is good for our communities, good for our pockets, and good for our economy. Community energy is the win-win-win policy that can do exactly this. That's why we @libdems are urging Labour to include it in the GB Energy Bill???? https://twitter.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1831694020491215271/video/1 [Source]

• 05 Sep 2024: Tweet

  RT @Padfootsguide: Really great inaugural meeting of the Net Zero APPG last night with @PollyBLabour @Wera_Hobhouse @alexbrewer @energygovu… [Source]

• 3 Sep 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I started with the good news of 100 jobs at Alstom, but there is no complacency in Derby, because we are looking five and 10 years ahead, and I know there is no complacency from the Transport Secretary. On Second Reading, my hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Grahame Morris) reminded the House that to meet decarbonisation goals, the UK needs to upgrade up to 4,000 rolling stock units. With management of contracts and sectoral planning, there is enough domestic work to create a stable base for train builders and their suppliers, who can then top that up with exports. I therefore look forward to hearing from the Minister how we can get the structure right now for delivery in the future.

  Full debate: Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

• 02 Sep 2024: Tweet

  Looking for some helpful energy-saving tips? ????⚡️ Starting this week, the Centre for Sustainable Energy will be offering advice on home insulation and cutting energy bills at Bath Central Library. The pop-up event runs from 11am - 2pm on the first Thursday of every month. https://twitter.com/BathEcho/status/1830520553020526818 [Source]

• 02 Sep 2024: Tweet

  This weekend, @ClimateCornwall are screening their new film ‘Power To The People’ in Bath. The Little Theatre Cinema ???? 4pm on 8th September ???? The film explores the exciting opportunities provided by renewable energy, as well as navigating some of its challenges ⚡️ https://twitter.com/ClimateCornwall/status/1829791241934159888 [Source]