03 August 2007
Methodist response to report on the Draft Climate Change Bill
Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and
Social Justice, has welcomed the publication of the Report of the
Joint Committee on the Draft Climate Change Bill:
"We are pleased to see that this report raises many of the concerns
that we expressed in our joint submission to the consultation. It
particularly addresses the concerns we raised about the target to
reduce the UK's carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, and suggests that
this figure may be inadequate to prevent the dangerous rising of
global temperatures. We're glad to see that this has been taken in
to account and hope that the Government endorses the proposals for
enforcing such targets and providing clear lines of
accountability.
"Climate change is something that affects us all, but some much
more drastically than others and it is often the poorest
communities worldwide that are most vulnerable. We are encouraged
by today's report, but it is important to remember that we all need
to take responsibility for how our lifestyles affect our planet and
our fellow human beings. We are grateful that the Churches have
been able to contribute to the consultation. The Methodist Church's
ongoing commitment is to support individuals, communities and
organisations in working to meet the immense challenges posed by
climate change."
The Methodist Church, The United Reformed Church, The Baptist Union
of Great Britain and The Religious Society of Friends made a joint
submission to the consultation on the Draft Climate Change Bill.
The submission emphasised the urgent need for action and called for
justice for those most likely to be adversely affected by climate
change.