* MPs to vote in ‘paper ballot’ on statutory instrument
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s MP for Brighton Pavilion, is calling on MPs to reject fracking regulations being laid before parliament as a ‘first test’ on how seriously they’re taking the outcome of the Paris Climate Summit.
A statutory instrument is expected to be voted on today. It lays out the Government’s approach to protecting National Parks and water resources from the risks of fracking. Campaigners have labelled the statutory instrument as a 'u-turn' as it goes back on Government promises to ensure that fracking doesn't take place in protected areas.
Controversially there will be no debate on the change – only a vote on a paper ballot included in tomorrow’s Parliamentary order paper.
The vote comes after a report by the industry-funded ‘Shale Gas Taskforce’ directly contradicted Ministerial claims that shale gas could cut household energy bills, stating clearly that fracking in the UK would ‘not be sufficient to reduce prices’. [2]
Caroline Lucas, who was in Paris last week for the Climate Summit, said:
“If the Government is to match its rhetoric on the climate deal struck in Paris then ministers must urgently rethink their entire approach to energy policy. To have any realistic chance of keeping global warming to well under 2 degrees we need to be leaving the vast majority of fossil fuel reserves in the ground.
“That means a total ban on fracking, however well regulated, halting the reckless dash for gas and reversing cuts to renewables.
“ MPs can signal their commitment to turning the words of the Paris climate agreement into reality by voting against these weak regulations and kicking back against fracking in the UK. That would send a clear signal to the international community that Britain is taking seriously its role in leading the fight against climate change.”
ENDS
[1] Details of the statutory instrument
It can be found on the order paper today:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmagenda/op151215.pdf
More information on statutory instruments: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-information-office/l07.pdf
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