Responding to the Climate Emergency – The Role of Parliament
On 1 May 2019 the UK parliament became the world’s first national parliament to declare a climate and ecological emergency. Earlier, the Welsh Parliament and the Scottish First Minister had joined 90 councils around the country, to declare a climate emergency.
Since then the government has legislated for Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 by amending the UK’s Climate Change Act. This is an historic move making the UK the first country to adopt a Net Zero Law. But what does it actually mean? How will the Net Zero emissions commitment work in practice? Have politics shifted? Are we seeing a cross-party commitment to decarbonise the economy and tackle climate change?
Coming on the heels of the largest Mass Climate Lobby of Parliament on 26 June and on the opening day of London Climate Action Week, this event will also address related questions on the role and power of parliament. Is the UK Parliament fit for purpose or has the Brexit process revealed deficiencies? What about the devolved nations and sub-regions? Are new constitutional arrangements and powers needed to effectively tackle the climate emergency?
Organised by GLOBE International with the Club of Rome and in partnership with The Climate Coalition this event was hosted by Barry Gardiner MP and opened by Roundhouse Youth Poetry Slam winner, Rakaya Esime Fetuga. Members of Parliament, including Baroness Jenny Jones, were joined by contributors including Sandrine Dixon-Decleve, President, Club of Rome; Nick Mabey, CEO, E3G and founder of London Climate Action Week, Malini Mehra, CEO, GLOBE International secretariat, Ed Matthew, Coordinator of the UK Net Zero Campaign; Cate Davies, UK Student Climate Network; Canon Giles Goddard, Faith for the Climate; Jill Rutter, Institute of Government and many others.
GLOBE Legislators wishes to thank London street artist Bambi for loaning her iconic portrait of Greta Thunberg for our opening event at Parliament, highlighting the voices and demands of young people on the climate emergency.
This event connects with the Student-MP Climate Surgeries facilitated by GLOBE International at participating MPs surgeries across London on Friday 5th July #FridaysForFuture. An effort to support youth voice & engagement on climate change during London Climate Action Week.
