Friends of the Earth campaign backed by John Leech MP gets Climate Change Bill into Queen's Speech

9.26.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Nov 2006

The announcement of a climate change bill in the Queen's Speech has been welcomed by John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington. John Leech MP supports "The Big Ask" campaign for annual targets to cut carbon dioxide pollution and has been lobbying the government to introduce a climate change bill with legally binding annual targets for reducing carbon emissions.

John Leech MP had joined 412 MPs - almost two thirds of MPs overall, and a majority in every party sitting in Parliament - in signing a Parliamentary petition (Early Day Motion 178) calling for new legislation "so that annual cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of three per cent can be delivered." The Government has responded by promising a Climate Change Bill in its programme of legislation for 2007.

The singer Thom Yorke from the band Radiohead launched "The Big Ask" campaign in May 2005. Since then over 100,000 people from across the country have put "The Big Ask" to their MP by postcard, email or letter.

John Leech MP said:

"I welcome the introduction of a Climate Change Bill in the Queens Speech. Climate change is the biggest issue facing us today. I have received many hundreds of postcards, e-mails and letters from constituents in support of such a bill. It is vital that swift action is taken to drastically reduce the carbon emissions which are damaging the environment and causing climate change. I and my Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleagues will be pressing the government to toughen up their proposed bill to include legally binding annual targets for reducing carbon emissions."

Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper said:

"We are delighted that a Climate Change Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech - this is something Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for through The Big Ask climate campaign. The Bill is a crucial first step in ensuring the UK plays its part in keeping temperatures below danger levels. The next step is to ensure the Bill delivers the cuts that are needed through the introduction of annual targets for reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions."

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