This week, the Government’s own Climate Change Committee produced a damning report into the government’s track record on its climate commitments and net zero strategy.

Lord Deben, the chair of the CCC, said the UK had “lost the leadership” on climate action shown at Cop26 in 2021 and done “a number of things that were utterly unacceptable”. This includes approving a new coal mine in Cumbria and new oil and gas fields in the North Sea. It’s worth noting that approval for the Rosebank oil and gas field is also set to go ahead – another symbol of government hypocrisy. He said the committee’s confidence that the government would meet its shorter-term carbon-cutting goals by 2030 was even lower than last year, despite the publication of a new green strategy by ministers. It’s clear there is a complete lack of political leadership in our fight against the climate emergency and Ministers do not understand the urgency of this situation.

In addition, the CCC found that the number of homes receiving energy efficiency improvements under the government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme more than halved. Worse still, homes are still being built that will need to be retrofitted with low-carbon heating and efficiency measures, because the government has not yet brought in its promised future homes standard. In regard to public transport, carbon emissions from transport have remained alarmingly high as the government has “made a political choice” to allow an increase in road traffic, instead of encouraging people on to public transport. This is absolutely shameful and inaction on the climate emergency is unforgivable.

Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero, has also urged the government to stop complaining about US President Joe Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act, and start matching its ambition. Kemi Badenoch MP has dismissed the Inflation Reduction Act as “protectionist”, our current Energy Secretary Grant Shapps calls it “dangerous”, and our Chancellor has completely dismissed it. I believe this is the wrong approach. 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. This won’t create the green jobs we so desperately need and ensure a fair green transformation.

On the other hand, Labour is serious about the climate crisis. Recently, we published a 22-page energy plan – our comprehensive and fully-costed proposal on how we will make Britain a clean energy superpower. A Labour government will cut bills, create jobs, and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon. It’s time to write a new chapter of Labour Party history about how we built a fairer, greener, more dynamic Britain by tackling the climate emergency head on and using it to create the jobs, the industries, and the opportunities of the future.

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

Preparing for extreme weather
Across Europe, we’re seeing the catastrophic impact of our changing climate. I am extremely concerned that the UK isn’t prepared for future heatwaves or flooding – something that affects my constituents every year. Scientists have been ringing the alarm bells but, as usual, Ministers are behind the curve. That’s why I’ve written to the Secretary of State to understand what he is doing to mitigate this growing crisis.

No new oil and gas
I would like to thank everyone who has written to me about Labour’s commitment to ban new licences for oil and gas production in the UK. We know that granting new licenses for oil and gas in the North Sea will do nothing to cut bills or build energy resilience. This Tory Government needs to recognise that the cost-of-living crisis is not over and that we need more than just sticking plaster solutions – they have had 13 years to tackle inequalities, invest in our economy and jobs and reduce our reliance on gas and oil.

Catch up with Tottenham & Wood Green Friends of the Earth
Recently I spoke to members of the Tottenham & Wood Green Friends of the Earth to discuss proposals for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act and Britain’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty. It’s always great to hear feedback from my constituents and climate groups on how I can best represent their views in Parliament and push the Government to do more on the climate.

Urban Tree Protection
Following my adjournment debate on urban tree protection, Councillor Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader of Haringey Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, and I wrote to the Secretary of State to follow up on our concerns. You can read our letter and the Minister’s response here.  My adjournment debate was called to draw attention to a real problem in urban areas that the government has failed to resolve – the needless felling of street trees to satisfy insurance claims.  This needs to change to redress the lopsided balance of responsibility between councils and insurers and hold the insurance industry to account by requiring it to explore alternative measures to stop subsidence damage before considering removing a mature tree.  Protecting profits should not be more important than preventing climate change.

Some of my recent Written Parliamentary Questions:

• To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Central Asian counterparts on (a) climate change cooperation and (b) reduction in emissions. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions has he had with his counterparts in Central Asian states on (a) climate cooperation, (b) reducing methane emissions and (c) reducing CO2 emissions. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to appoint a new Special Representative for Climate Change. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when the biomass strategy will be published; and what steps that strategy will take to help achieve the UK’s net zero targets. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department has taken to support charitable sheltered housing providers to upgrade to achieve a band C Energy Performance Certificate. Response here