Action being taken by local climate groups and individuals was praised this week by Damian as he introduced a Westminster Hall debate on the Net Zero target and decarbonising transport.
Damian highlighted plans by East Hampshire District Council to plant a tree for every resident, their work in developing a growing network of cycling and walking paths, the installation EV charge-points in key locations, and the sustainable approach taken in the overall regeneration of Whitehill & Bordon. He singled out the Alton Climate Action Group for the range of initiatives they’re leading to encourage residents to take action for themselves.
The Greening Campaign was another initiative highlighted. Launched in Petersfield in 2008 before eventually spreading to 100 other towns and villages, it showed people that small actions, when taken by many, add up to significant change.
Opening the debate Damian said:
“Tackling climate change is a defining challenge of our age. The developed world, with our higher per-capita emissions, have a greater responsibility. We had our industrial revolution first – so it is right we should be ahead on decarbonising, too. I was proud last year when the UK became the first major economy to commit in legislation to Net Zero.
The UK has been leading the G20 nations on decarbonisation. But to reach our Net Zero target we will have to accelerate further. Thus far, our decarbonisation success has been primarily about the power sector, where dramatic change has been achieved. Further improvements here are tougher, given the intermittent nature of wind and sun, and the current limitations of battery storage.”
With road transport accounting for around a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions and passenger cars accounting for over half of transport emissions, Damian highlighted the opportunity afforded by this sector in terms decarbonisation, with hydrogen offering possibly the best advantage for HGVs and the developing technology for strong-performance electric batteries for passenger vehicles.
And with the growth in home shopping and multiple home deliveries, Damian also made reference to the opportunity for the Post Office network to be developed into the country’s biggest click-and-collect service, acting as a key local distribution hub and helping to support a community asset which is particularly important in rural areas such as East Hampshire.
Damian also welcomed this week’s announcement by the Government to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, bringing the previous target date forward by a full five years.
Expanding the supply of public charging points for electric vehicles will be important over the next few years. There are more than 22,000 across the country, with a particular concentration in London, and based on data published by the Department of Transport, the rate per 100,000 population for East Hampshire is on a par with Cambridge, Glasgow and Brighton, though other areas are higher still - such as West Berks and North Somerset.
On local initiatives, Damian added:
“I have been so impressed by the range of groups stepping forward to help make a difference here in East Hampshire, including the work led by Energy Alton and the Alton Climate Action Network, the re-emergence of the Greening Campaign, the on-going engagement of students in local schools, and plans to establish a Climate Action Network in Petersfield. The effort and ambition is growing, and we’re lucky to have such active support here in East Hampshire.”
Useful links:
DfT Electric vehicle charging devices by local authority - October 2019
http://maps.dft.gov.uk/ev-charging-map/
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provides grant funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle chargepoints at domestic properties across the UK, and the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge-points, for eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles
Public information on switching to an electric vehicle at https://www.goultralow.com/
