address climate change or Brexit

Leaving  the European Union would represent a hammer blow to the 2015 Paris climate deal, is the view of one of the UK’s leading climate advisors.

Ex Tory environment minister Lord Deben, now chairing the UK Committee on Climate Change, Intervened in the Brexit debate whilst at an IPPR think tank event in London.

His view that Brexit is a threat to COP21 reinforces his stance for Britain to maintain its links with Brussels.

“I’m optimistic about the European Union because I think the British people aren’t so stupid to go out – but there’s a long way to go and a great deal to do and we must not leave any stone unturned,” he said

DECC secretary is state Amber Rudd supports staying with Brussels, but her minister Andrea Leadsom wants Britain to go alone.

Deben’s view is that leaving the 28-strong EU of countries would remove one of the leaders in delivering greenhouse gas cuts from the club and this would undermine its credibility.

Despite a swathe of domestic cuts to clean energy programmes, the London government has long pushed fellow European states to boost its 2030 carbon target from 40% to 50% cuts on 1990 levels.

The Paris COP21 agreement between 195 countries seeks to limits global warming to below 2C and achieve net zero emissions by the second half of the century.

The UK accounts for around 1% of worldwide emissions, but contributes nearer to 10% of the EU’s total.

Deben said.

“You don’t have any power to get the European Union to move because you’re outside… it’s taking away from the EU what has in the past been a progressive voice,” he said.

“What we need is greater sovereignty, a stronger voice… if we aren’t there we can’t do it and others will decide for us.”

 

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