Catholics are urged to add their voices to the nationwide campaign to
tell the Government to set ambitious targets for UK carbon reduction
ahead of a crucial decision next week, says Catholic development
agency Progressio.
The Climate Change Act compels the Government to set so-called carbon
budgets which constrain the amount of carbon the country can emit in
any one year. The independent Committee on Climate Change has made
three key recommendations which Progressio wants to see adopted.
Petra Kjell, Progressio's Environment Policy and Advocacy Officer
said, "Climate change is having a significant impact on already poor
and vulnerable communities that we work alongside all over the world.
"These communities have not caused this problem and they are asking us
to act. Measures to deliver a stable climate for the world's poorest
people, including the Climate Change Act, are not only essential, but
also a moral obligation."
The decision on the size of the budget and the other aspects of the
Committee on Climate Change recommendations could be made in the next
week.
Daniel Hale, Progressio's Campaigns Officer said, "We have to act
quickly if we're going to stand any chance to secure a long-term
solution to the problem of climate change. We need everyone to act,
and act now."
Catholic development agency Progressio, working with the Stop Climate
Chaos coalition, is calling for three key aspects as specified by the
Committee on Climate Change to be adopted in the decision:
- the setting of a domestic fourth carbon budget of 1950 MtCO2e;
- agreeing a target to reduce emissions by 60% by 2030, from 1990
- levels, and a target to reduce emissions from electricity generation
- to 50gCO2/kWh by 2030;
- and delivering a 37% carbon reduction by 2020, reflecting David
- Cameron's support for an unconditional 30% target for the EU.
Catholics, as well as people of all faiths and none, are asked to add
their names online at www.progressio.org.uk/climateACT before Friday
March 25.
Notes to editors:
1. For more information or to arrange an interview with Petra Kjell, Environmental Policy and Advocacy Officer, or Daniel Hale, Campaigns Officer, please contact Esther Trewinnard, Communications Officer, on 07783 409045 or email esther@progressio.org.uk
2. Progressio is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, which is acting together to urge the Government to adopt the recommendations of the independent Committee on Climate Change.
3. Progressio is a Catholic international charity that enables poor communities to solve their own problems through support from skilled workers. And we lobby decision-makers to change policies that keep people poor. We were formerly the Catholic Institute for International Relations. For further information, see: www.progressio.org.uk
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Alexander Martínez, 25, farms in El Corazal, Usulután, El Salvador. He's already feeling the effects of climate change. Photo: UNES/ Progressio
