A grilling from MPs

Imagine facing a panel of MPs all asking probing questions about the draft Climate Change Bill.

That was the challenge facing Martyn Williams, Friends of the Earth's Senior Parliamentary Campaigner, this week.

Giving evidence

Martyn Williams

Martyn was invited to give evidence at the Environment Select Committee at the House of Commons. The Committee is holding an enquiry into the detail of the draft Climate Bill.

The purpose of the enquiry is to recommend to the Government improvements that could be made to the draft Climate Change Bill.

Questions and answers

The Committee is made up of a group of MPs from all the main parties. The MPs take turns to grill the experts they have invited to attend.

Martyn Williams clearly outlined some of the ways that Friends of the Earth think the draft Climate Change Bill could be improved.

Not including carbon dioxide from international aviation and shipping is a bit like going on a diet but not counting the calories from chocolate.

Martyn Williams, Friends of the Earth - in answer
to a question put to him by the Envrionment Select Committee

Progress of the Bill

The draft Climate Change Bill is open for anyone to comment on until June 12.

Friends of the Earth welcomes the Bill but would like to see it improved in key areas, including:

Bigger cuts
The Government propose a 60 per cent cut of carbon dioxide by 2050. We need reductions of at least 80 per cent.
Annual targets
The Government want five year budgets for CO₂. We want shorter targets - to hold the current Parliament to account.
Aviation and shipping
International flights and shipping emissions are excluded. We want these included.