This month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published its conclusion of findings by the world’s scientists. This report is deeply concerning and is yet another warning to global leaders that we must act now to tackle the climate crisis.

Our planet’s reliance on fossil fuel must end and we need to look at renewable, sustainable, and long-term energy security. The Conservatives are dragging their feet on this, and not putting in the investment, leaving families, businesses, and the international community to go it alone. This week my colleague Ed Miliband, Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero, called on the Government to show ambition in tackling the climate emergency. US President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is a brilliant example of this – it aims to invest in good, clean energy and green jobs. I believe we need a similar plan in the UK, so that we can attract businesses to invest in a green transition. As the US and Europe speed off into the distance in the global race for green industry, we are sitting back in the changing rooms moaning about the rules.

The easiest thing this Tory Government could do is end the ban on onshore windfarms and step-up investment in energy efficiency for Britain’s homes – these two simple acts would transform people’s lives by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and lowering our bills. So why are the Tories still fighting over onshore windfarms and delaying much-needed investment in our homes?

A Labour Government will establish a British-owned company that will generate clean power, cut bills and provide true energy security for the UK. We would invest £28 billion a year in climate measures – we would start a huge programme, involving local authorities, to properly insulate millions of Britain’s cold and draughty homes to reduce emissions, create green jobs and drive down soaring heating bills. The fact is – the Tories have run out of ideas and need to move aside.

Here are some of the things I’ve been doing in Parliament since your last newsletter:

IPPC report
Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published its conclusion of findings by the world’s scientists. Although we all understand the severity of the climate crisis and its destruction, this report is damning and presents a terrifying picture of our present and near-future if action isn’t taken. You can read my full thoughts on this report here. And now, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has said that the UK is “strikingly unprepared” for the impacts of the climate crisis, and that there had been a “lost decade” in efforts to adapt for the impacts of global heating.

Loss and Damage
In March, I attended a parliamentary roundtable hosted by my colleague Preet Gill MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, and attended by several climate and humanitarian organisations. One of the most significant moments from COP26 was the early agreement of a global Loss and Damage Fund. Despite the importance of this fund, as a signal of international solidarity and support, it is extremely disappointing that the UK Government continues to delay its promised funding. Ahead of COP28 in December 2023, it is vital that the UK Government work closely with other developed countries to agree on funding and ensure that climate vulnerable countries and developing nations are not left alone to tackle the consequences of this global climate crisis.

Onshore Wind Power
It is unbelievable that during this energy crisis, Tory MPs are still fighting over onshore wind energy. The Tories’ ban on wind energy shows just how destructive they are. At a time when we should be investing in a large and diverse energy portfolio, they are banning solar farms from most of England’s farmland. In the meantime, our reliance on gas and oil is increasing and so are our energy bills. The fact is – the Tories have run out of ideas and need to move aside.

Mature Trees
I have received a number of emails over recent weeks from constituents understandably very concerned about the removal of a plane tree on Oakfield Road which is due to be felled as insurers claim it to be causing subsidence. Although I have raised this with Haringey Council, I am also seeking a Parliamentary debate on the protection of our urban trees and you can read my latest statement on my website here.  Councils are being placed at the mercy of developers and building insurance companies and I want to see a shift in the power balance to recognise how important our mature urban trees are.

Some of my recent Written Parliamentary Questions:

• To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Pacific Island nations on climate mitigation support. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Climate Change Committee report entitled Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk, published in June 2021; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK’s preparation and adaption measures for extreme weather. Awaiting response
• To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to end the licensing of new oil and gas developments in the UK. Awaiting response
• To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to prepare for potential heatwaves in Summer 2023. Awaiting response
• To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on the UK reaching net zero by 2050 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report. Awaiting response