I believe firmly in protecting the UK's vibrant ecosystem.
To this end, under the Conservative Government:
- The UK has cut emissions faster than any other major economy. Britain is the first major economy to have HALVED emissions since 1990. This is compared to 41 per cent in Germany, 23 per cent in France and no change at all in the USA.
- Britain now possesses the second biggest offshore wind capacity in the world after China - thanks to the Government's Contracts for Difference scheme.
- Britain can now source over 45% of its electricity from renewable sources (as of 2023).
- Britain became the first country in the world to legislate for Net Zero by 2050. Four years ago, the UK became the first G7 country to sign our commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 into law.
- Britain became a global leader in ocean protection with 38 per cent of UK waters in Marine Protected Areas.
- There have been over 15 million trees planted with Government backing. This is nearly 13,000 hectares of new woodland in England and the area of woodland in England now stands at 10.2 per cent, three thousand hectares more than 2021/22. A further £750m has been put towards tree planting and peatland restoration beyond 2024.
- Six new Nature Recovery Projects have been launched. These projects, supported by £7.4 million of funding and amounting to 176,000 hectares of land across England, will create improved and better-connected habitats for wildlife and improve public access to nature. They will help to manage flooding and wildfire risks, improve carbon stores and build diverse habitats for wildlife. These projects will also help to achieve the Government’s pledge to protect 30 per cent of UK land and sea for nature by 2030.
We can, and I believe we will, be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it. I want to achieve this ambition in Parliament and locally in Basildon and Thurrock.
