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Public Meeting Asks: Will This Be The Greenest Government Ever?

news release

South Manchester residents will get the chance to quiz green experts and local MP John Leech on environmental issues at a public meeting in Chorlton Central Church on Saturday 5 March. Manchester Friends of the Earth [1] has organised the meeting to examine what the Government’s Energy Bill [2] will mean for homeowners, tenants and landlords.

There will also be an opportunity to learn more about Manchester’s climate change plan, A Certain Future [3], and find out how local residents can get involved in turning Manchester into a low-carbon city.

The panel will include:

  • John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington;
  • Dave Timms, UK Climate & Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth [4];
  • Katie Brandon, from Manchester’s Sustainable Neighbourhoods Action Group [5].

Ali Abbas, Chorlton resident and Manchester Friends of the Earth’s lead climate campaigner, said:

“The Energy Bill is an acid test of David Cameron’s pledge that this  will be the greenest Government ever.

“But this is not just about the environment, it’s also about creating jobs in the local community and helping those who are suffering from fuel poverty and can no longer afford to heat their homes properly.”

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to strengthen the Energy Bill [6], and in particular to:

  • introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard for homes rented through a private landlord or letting agency to protect vulnerable tenants.
  • help communities across the country tackle climate change by introducing new carbon budgets for each local council area to cut emissions.

Dave Timms from Friends of the Earth said:

“Each winter brings the annual pain of cold homes and high energy bills to vulnerable families. Energy companies are making massive profits while millions shiver and the UK’s huge renewable energy resources are being left untapped. Surely we can do better than this? The Government must act urgently to set us on course to a cleaner and greener future.”

Entry to the public meeting is free and refreshments are provided. Everyone is welcome.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1] Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, part of a network of over 220 local Friends of the Earth groups.  We raise awareness about environmental issues and lobby for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and our campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations.  Up-to-date information is available at: https://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk.

[2] The Energy Bill is currently making its way through Parliament.  For more infomation, see:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/energy_bill

[3] Manchester: A Certain Future is a plan for the entire city, not just the City Council and statutory public agencies.  Local communities, residents and the business community will all have a part to play, and many of them helped in the production of the plan.  For more information, see: http://www.manchesterclimate.com.

[4] Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone.  We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it.  We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment.  We campaign on a range of issues including climate change, biodiversity, waste, transport and food.  For further information, visit http://www.foe.co.uk.

[5] The Sustainable Neighbourhoods Action Group (SNAG) brings together community groups who have an interest in making our neighbourhoods  better places to live and work.  For more information, visit http://www.snag.org.uk.

[6] For more detail, see Friends of the Earth’s briefing on the Energy Bill:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/energy_bill_overview.pdf

[7] David Cameron announced his aim to lead the greenest government ever at a Department of Energy and Climate Change press conference in May 2010.

[8] Key statistics:

  • More than a quarter (27 per cent) of the UK’s emissions come from heating our homes and water.
  • Friends of the Earth’s research (2009) shows fitting homes with insulation and renewable energy systems could create up to 70,000 local green jobs across England and Wales.
  • Poor insulation means around £1 of every £4 spent on heating UK homes is wasted.

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