[{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"44222","proposer":"24794","edm":"90","session":"2012-13","title":"Nuisance Calls","text":"That this House recognises that the legislation around cold-calling via people's home and mobile phones is confusing and overly complicated; believes that people should be able to guarantee their privacy in a simple and effective way; further believes that unwanted faxes, mail, telephone calls or texts are a nuisance and can be very intimidating to people, especially vulnerable individuals; notes that the present situation where responsibility lies with Ofcom, the Information Commissioner and various preferencing services gives unscrupulous companies the ability to ride roughshod over the regulations with very little chance of any charges being pursued; and calls on the Government to work with Ofcom and the Information Commissioner to strengthen the rules and apply them more rigorously.","date":"2012-05-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"44197","proposer":"10141","edm":"65","session":"2012-13","title":"Climate Jobs Caravan","text":"That this House welcomes the Climate Jobs Caravan on its 2,000 mile journey stopping off at towns across the North West, including Bolton, in a bid to raise public awareness and discussion about job losses andthe benefits of new green climate jobs; supports the climate activists and national trade unions in launching a campaign to persuade the Government to create one million green climate jobs; and calls on the Government to scrap its policy of public sector cuts and work towards creating jobs dealing with cleaner sources of energy, energy efficiency in homes, buildings and transport systems.","date":"2012-05-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"44137","proposer":"10521","edm":"5","session":"2012-13","title":"International Noise Awareness Day 2012","text":"That this House places on record its appreciation of Noisedirect, the independent national noise advice line, and acknowledges that 25 April 2012was the 17th International Noise Awareness Day; congratulates Noisedirect for supporting this event with its Blue Mu Awards; notes that the Blue Mu is based on the Japanese Kanji symbol for nothing and the awards will be given to those who have done little or nothing to prevent noise nuisance or improve the aural environment; further notes that Noisedirect's Noise Tzar, Val Weedon MBE, a leading noise campaigner, is calling on the Government to amend regulations to deal with noise nuisance; and supports her and others in urging the Government to provide further resources to empower ordinary people to achieve effective solutions for peaceful homes.","date":"2012-05-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"44105","proposer":"10521","edm":"2997","session":"2010-12","title":"International Noise Awareness Day (No. 2)","text":"That this House places on record its appreciation of Noisedirect, the independent national noise advice line, and acknowledges that 25 April 2012 is the 17th International Noise Awareness Day; congratulates Noisedirect for supporting this event with its Blue Mu Awards; notes that the Blue Mu is based on the Japanese Kanji symbol for nothing, and the awards will be given to those who have done little or nothing to prevent noise nuisance or improve the aural environment; further notes that Noisedirect's Noise Tzar, Val Weedon MBE, a leading noise campaigner, is calling on the Government to amend regulations to deal with noise nuisance; and supports her and others in urging the Government to provide further resources to empower ordinary people to achieve effective solutions for peaceful homes.","date":"2012-04-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"44042","proposer":"24911","edm":"2935","session":"2010-12","title":"Banish The Bag Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the comments by the Prime Minister that `I am very concerned about the use of single-use carrier bags and the effect that they have on the environment'; further welcomes the Daily Mail's Banish the Bag campaign and the Greener upon Thames 2012 Plastic-Bag-Free Olympics campaign; calls on the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to strengthen its London 2012 Sustainable Sourcing Code (Packaging Guidelines) so that its sponsors and suppliers will not provide single-use or short-life disposable plastic bags to visitors to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and further calls on the Government to bring forward enabling legislation whereby a charge would be imposed on single-use plastic bags.","date":"2012-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"43988","proposer":"10133","edm":"2883","session":"2010-12","title":"Jeju Island","text":"That this House acknowledges the five-year struggle of the Gangeong villagers of the World Heritage site of Jeju Island against their government's plans to build a huge naval base which will wipe out totally the village and nearby coastline's unique ecosystems and farmlands and fishing grounds; notes the forced arrests of local residents, priests and international activists who require the UK's support; most significantly notes that the naval base will afford the USthe right to have a station there which may increase tensions between the US and China and jeopardise South Korea's national security; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Jeju government against the building of the naval base.","date":"2012-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"43178","proposer":"11489","edm":"2106","session":"2010-12","title":"Every Child Outdoors Campaign","text":"That this House recognises the importance of children having regular contact with the natural environment; congratulates the RSPB for its Every Child Outdoors research, which highlights the educational benefits, environmental benefits and physical and behavioural benefits for children of learning outdoors; commends the Living Classrooms programme at Ynys-hir Nature Reserve in Ceredigion, which gives children the opportunity to learn about different species and habitats; and calls on the Government to ensure that learning outdoors is part of every child's education.","date":"2011-07-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"43008","proposer":"24819","edm":"1939","session":"2010-12","title":"New Generation Biofuels","text":"That this House acknowledges that advanced biofuel technologies could play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions, providing energy security for the UK, managing waste and creating jobs in the emerging bio-economy; notes that advanced biofuels can be produced from any carbon-based waste, offering exceptional carbon and sustainability performance without depleting food supplies or causing Indirect Land Use Change effects; recognises that it is preferable to meet the targets set out in the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation with advanced biofuels; welcomes the development of biorefineries to generate important green jobs in the UK; and calls on the Government to support investment in the new generation biofuel industry in the UK through the Green Investment Bank and develop policies which give long-term certainty to investors.","date":"2011-06-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42984","proposer":"11589","edm":"1916","session":"2010-12","title":"Policy On Biofuels And Their Effects","text":"That this House welcomes the recent announcements from the Government regarding biofuels, but continues to have concerns over the negative impacts of current biofuels on people, food prices, wildlife habitats and the climate; notes that recent research found that the net effect of increases in biofuel use would lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, rather than a reduction; further notes that currently proposed sustainability criteria fail to address impacts on rising food prices and social issues, as well as knock-on effects on natural habitats and carbon stocks; urges the Government, as part of the ongoing amendment to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, to freeze biofuel use at the current levels of 3.3 per cent. until the sustainability of biofuels can be assured; further urges the Government to develop policy measures that reduce energy demand and support non-biofuel renewable energy sources in transport, including electric cars using electricity from renewable sources; and further urges the Government in the short-term to incentivise only the use of sustainable bioliquids, such as locally-sourced used cooking oil.","date":"2011-06-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42928","proposer":"24910","edm":"1861","session":"2010-12","title":"Legislation On Illegal Timber","text":"That this House is dismayed that, despite the statement on page 17 of the Coalition Agreement that `We will introduce measures to make the import or possession of illegal timber a criminal offence', the Government is going to rely on weaker EU legislation; notes that last year the US made it illegal for a person or company to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase timber or timber products illegally taken, harvested, possessed, transported, sold or exported; and calls on the Government to do likewise and to honour its commitment to legislate on illegal timber.","date":"2011-05-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42339","proposer":"24812","edm":"1320","session":"2010-12","title":"Discard Of Marketable Fish","text":"That this House congratulates Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Channel 4 for highlighting the wasteful discarding of marketable fish at sea; commends the Scottish fishing industry for having significantly reduced discards of North Sea cod, haddock and whiting in recent years through a combination of measures including the use of selective fishing gars, real-time closures of fishing grounds, and remote electronic monitoring, allowing fishermen to land more of what they catch; notes the groundbreaking work being undertaken by the Scottish Government in cooperation with the fishing industry and other stakeholders on catch quotas and the conservation credits that is seeing a reduction in discards; calls for an end to the failed EU Common Fisheries Policy which is undermining both conservation and livelihoods in coastal communities; and further calls on the Government to promote a long-term whole ecosystem approach to fisheries management that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.","date":"2011-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42316","proposer":"11923","edm":"1297","session":"2010-12","title":"Food And Drink Manufacturers And New Environmental Targets","text":"That this House welcomes the significant progress already made by food and drink manufacturers in reducing the environmental impact of their operations, as set out in the third annual report of member company achievements under the Food and and Drink Federation's Five-fold Environmental Ambition published on 8 December 2010; notes that the original resource efficiency targets have been updated to take account of this and to respond to its policy developments since the programme's launch in 2007; and further notes and applauds the decision to extend the scope of the Ambition to include impacts across the supply chain to help deliver sustainability in all aspects of production and consumption, reinforcing the message that good environmental practice makes good business sense and that a vibrant and competitive UK food industry has a key role to play in economic recovery and the transition to low carbon growth through innovation and the development of new skills and job opportunities in an area vital to meeting the future challenges of food security and climate change.","date":"2011-01-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42211","proposer":"24910","edm":"1199","session":"2010-12","title":"Forestry Commission Reductions In Expenditure","text":"That this House is alarmed at the 25 per cent. cut to the Forestry Commission announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review; opposes plans to sell off parts of the Public Forest Estate in England which could result in 30 million trees being cut down and job losses in England and Scotland; notes that the Forestry Commission in England manages 258,000 hectares of public forest, employing 856 people; further notes that the Commission manages the highest number of sites of special scientific interest, with 99 per cent. of these in favourable or recovering condition; regards forests as a priceless carbon storage resource and essential to the Government's efforts to achieve climate change mitigation targets; is concerned that education courses and public health programmes would be inhibited by the sale of public forests; acknowledges that public rights of way are lost under private ownership of former Forestry Commission land; furthernotes that at 9 per cent. the level of forestation in England is one of the lowest in Europe and that 69 per cent. of forest is already privately-owned; further notes that hits on the Forestry Commission Trades Union's website increased by 560 per cent. to 80,000 per month after this cut was announced; and calls on the Government to bring forward proposals to amend the Public Bodies Bill (Lords) to remove this threat to forests.","date":"2010-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42181","proposer":"10436","edm":"1169","session":"2010-12","title":"Disposable Nappy Waste","text":"That this House notes that approximately four per cent. of all waste to landfill is disposable nappies, which equates to three billion nappies weighing 690,000 tonnes; isconcerned that disposable nappies are one of the biggest identifiable products in the domestic waste stream and that a zero waste economy cannot be achieved without tackling this waste stream; is shocked that local authorities spend up to 100 million every year disposing of nappies, whereasif a child uses a real nappy then 874kg is diverted from landfill and the local authority saves up to 130 per year, meaning savings of up to 9.2 million peryear on just 10 per cent. conversion rates; adds that using real nappies can help parents reduce their carbon footprint by up to 40 per cent. compared to using disposables and bring about domestic savings of up to 500 per year, achieving 35.4 million savings across the UK for families on just 10 per cent. conversion rates, and if the same nappies were used on a second child, a further 85 million would be saved; urges the Government, in these times of austerity and environmental concern, to acknowledge the impact of disposable nappies and to support the promotion of real nappies as a viable alternative; and further urges the Government to provide a clear message to parents to introduce real nappies into public service infrastructure and to provide financial support to enable existing networks to adopt a Big Society approach to providing a more balanced market with increased parental choice.","date":"2010-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42185","proposer":"10630","edm":"1173","session":"2010-12","title":"Implementation Of Sustainability Standards For Biofuels","text":"That this House is concerned that unsustainable biofuels can have serious environmental impacts and may also release more carbon into the atmosphere than they save; notes that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation gives the same financial reward to all biofuels, regardless of their sustainability; welcomes the provisions in the EU Renewable Energy Directive to ban biofuels production from land of high biodiversity or former high carbon stock, as well as requiring minimum greenhouse gas savings; further notes that the deadline for implementation of these provisions is 5 December 2010; further notes with concern that no decisions have yet been taken on UK implementation and that this deadline will be missed, possibly by several months; is extremely concerned that, until binding standards are implemented, the UK will continue to provide financial support for unsustainable biofuels; and therefore calls on the Government to implement the sustainability standards in the Renewable Energy Directive as soon as possible.","date":"2010-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42041","proposer":"10377","edm":"1051","session":"2010-12","title":"Climate Change Initiative","text":"That this House believes that a new direction is needed in order to ensure that Britain is a world leader in the development of new green technologies as well as increasing energy efficiency so as to protect people from the most unhealthy and inefficient homes; notes the need for a strong Green Deal as part of the Energy Security and Green Economy Bill to ensure that by 2020 seven million homes in the UK are energy efficient, reducing emissions by 60 per cent.; and calls for the prioritisation within the Bill of the establishment of one common climate fund to help developing countries adapt to climate change, develop low carbon economies and protect their environment.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"42042","proposer":"10828","edm":"1052","session":"2010-12","title":"Companies' Social And Environmental Reporting","text":"That this House welcomes the Coalition commitment to reinstate an operating and financial review to ensure that directors' social and environmental duties have to be covered in company reporting; notes that social and environmental risks are known to pose financial risks to companies and their investors; believes that, if sustainability is to be integrated fully into business decision-making, it is vital that these issues are integrated fully into company reporting; further notes the concerns of investors and other stakeholders that the current reporting regime is both seriously deficient in this respect and poorly implemented; further believes that a clearer, stronger regulatory framework would bring significant financial benefits to business through improved risk management; and therefore calls on the Government to put forward robust proposals to ensure that quoted companies report accurate, balanced and reliable information on social and environmental issues, in which investors can have confidence.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"41940","proposer":"13856","edm":"951","session":"2010-12","title":"Northern Ireland Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme","text":"That this House calls for the immediate re-introduction of the Northern Ireland Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme; notes the detrimental impact the withdrawal of this scheme will have on the Northern Ireland quarry and aggregates sector; and furthercalls on the Government to look at alternative ways forward ahead of the introduction of the 2011 Budget.","date":"2010-11-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"41693","proposer":"11093","edm":"735","session":"2010-12","title":"BBC","text":"That this House believes that the BBC is the world's best and most impartial broadcaster; and opposes any attempt to remove or reduce the licence fee.","date":"2010-09-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"41475","proposer":"11199","edm":"522","session":"2010-12","title":"Rescue Of Sun Bears By Edinburgh Zoo","text":"That this House congratulates Edinburgh Zoo for their magnificent efforts in bringing two sun bears, Rotana and Sommang, to Scotland after they were rescued from inhumane treatment in Cambodia; commends the work of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in ensuring the safe transfer of the bears to the United Kingdom; notes the importance of such institutions in providing a safe environment for rare animals; and acknowledges the great achievements by the staff at Edinburgh Zoo in educating people about the importance of wildlife conservationand animal welfare.","date":"2010-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"41163","proposer":"10222","edm":"240","session":"2010-12","title":"Non-Native Invasive Species","text":"That this House is concerned that the estimated annual cost to the economy of the damage caused by non-native invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Hottentot fig is in excess of two billion pounds; notes that the most cost-effective and least environmentally-damaging approach to solving the problems caused by non-native invasive species is through prevention, rapid response and early intervention; recognises that non-native invasive species have the ability to cause damage to the environment, the economy, our health and the way we live; further notes that the Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain calls for a rapid response system to be created and preventative approach adopted; expresses regret that sufficiently robust controls to prevent the arrival of species known already to be causing damage elsewhere are not in place; expresses further regret that there is no obligation for statutory bodies to enact a rapid response system and no designated resources have been declared for prevention and rapid response; and therefore calls on the Government to identify the resources and the administrative means to ensure that such systems can be implemented.","date":"2010-06-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40984","proposer":"10521","edm":"70","session":"2010-12","title":"Government Noise Policy Statement","text":"That this House regrets that the Noise Policy Statement published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 15 March 2010 falls far short of what had been expected and what is required to tackle the increasing levels of noise in society and the range of problems associated with noise, including quality of life and health issues for the people of this country; agrees with the views of the UK Noise Association that the Policy Statement gives no specific proposals to tackle noise with the Noise Action Plans and the Noise Policy Statement for England doing little in themselves to reduce noise; notes that it is nearly a decade since the former Government first promised a noise strategy; and calls on all hon. and right hon. Members to unite in campaigning for policies which will produce a meaningful outcome in eliminating unnecessary noise in daily life.","date":"2010-05-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40821","proposer":"10123","edm":"1175","session":"2009-10","title":"Environmental Audit Committee Report On Air Quality","text":"That this House congratulates the Environmental Audit Committee on its report making clear the deadly and costly effect of air pollution; notes its headline point that more could be done to prevent the deaths of up to 50,000 people each year and that in pollution hotspots vulnerable residents such as those with asthma, could be dying up to nine years early; notes also that the health costs are estimated at between \u00a38.5 billion and \u00a320.2 billion a year, with the added risk of substantial EU fines for failure to limit pollutants; and calls on all the major political parties to present in their election manifestos clear, effective and co-ordinated programmes for how they will deal with this exceptionally serious matter.","date":"2010-03-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40796","proposer":"10521","edm":"1154","session":"2009-10","title":"Government Noise Policy Statement","text":"That this House regrets that the Noise Policy Statement published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 15 March falls far short of what had been expected and what is required to tackle the increasing levels of noise in society and the range of problems associated with noise, including quality of life and health issues for the people of this country; agrees with the views of the UK Noise Association that the Policy Statement gives no specific proposals to tackle noise with the Noise Action Plans and the Noise Policy Statement for England doing little in themselves to reduce noise; notes that it is nearly a decade since the Government first promised a noise strategy; and calls on all hon. and right hon. Members to unite in campaigning for policies which will produce a meaningful outcome in eliminating unnecessary noise in daily life.","date":"2010-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40623","proposer":"10190","edm":"1001","session":"2009-10","title":"Keep Britain Tidy Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes Keep Britain Tidy's latest report, This Is Our Home - A manifesto for a cleaner England; recognises that environmental quality is vitally important and underpins society as a whole; further notes that in 2007-08 the total street cleaning bill for England was over \u00a3780 million; deplores the fact that there were more than one million incidences of fly tipping last year alone; congratulates Keep Britain Tidy and their supporters who have collected 62,000 bags of litter as part of their campaign; and calls on the Government to back Keep Britain Tidy's campaign and produce a fresh approach to improving local environments.","date":"2010-03-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40468","proposer":"11672","edm":"868","session":"2009-10","title":"Generation Green Project And Green Manifesto","text":"That this House congratulates the 21 children involved in the Generation Green think tank on their environmental manifesto and the launch of the manifesto in Parliament; notes that these children represent the 10,000 schools signed up to Generation Green; supports the children's call for more investment in green education, more recycling facilities on the move and more investment in green energy and energy efficiency in schools; hopes that politicians of all parties will note and respond to the six main points of the Green Manifesto as part of the forthcoming general election campaign; and further congratulates British Gas for setting up and supporting both Generation Green and its think tank.","date":"2010-02-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40414","proposer":"11245","edm":"814","session":"2009-10","title":"Dumping Of Waste In Rainforest Ecosystems","text":"That this House recognises the detrimental effects of decisions to dump billions of gallons of poisonous waste in rainforest ecosystems by multi-national companies; believes that any profit-making organisation is accountable for damage caused to the environment in the past, present and future; and calls on the Government to press multi-national companies to compensate nations in which they have employed bad environmental practices and to fight for this in the international community.","date":"2010-02-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"40050","proposer":"10298","edm":"478","session":"2009-10","title":"2009 National Tree Week","text":"That this House congratulates the Secretary of State for the Environment on planting the first tree to celebrate the launch of the Tree Council's 35th National Tree Week with its theme of Grow Your Own; hopes that many more people across the UK will follow his lead and plant trees for food crops, trees for fuel sources, trees for wildlife, trees for biodiversity, and not least, trees for future generations; commends the actions of tree wardens, community groups, schools charities and other Tree Council supporters who are planning tree planting events in the weeks to come; recognises, in particular, that traditional British orchards have become a nationally scarce resource over the last 50 years and regrets that Britain now imports nearly twice as many apples from abroad as are grown in the UK; acknowledges that better varieties can be grown throughout Britain, even in small back gardens, and the UK can thereby benefit from free food for years to come and help preserve some of the wonderful native varieties that are peculiar to different parts of the UK; suggests that more trees are also needed to create shade in streets, around buildings, in open rural spaces, to provide a habitat for biodiversity that is threatened by a changing climate and to further beautify the landscape; further acknowledges that wherever the right tree can be planted in the right place, communities come together and think about their environment, increasing awareness of the impact of their own actions; and encourages everyone to get out their tree planting boots, wield a spade and grow their own.","date":"2009-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39977","proposer":"10267","edm":"413","session":"2009-10","title":"Protection Of River Habitats","text":"That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes of England and Wales are currently at `good' status due to growing pollution, over-abstraction of water and habitat destruction; and calls on the Government to develop a plan to protect and enhance the condition of rivers, including the chalk rivers, setting firm and demanding targets.","date":"2009-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39982","proposer":"10586","edm":"418","session":"2009-10","title":"Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Food And Drink Firms","text":"That this House recognises the continuing progress being made by member companies of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) in reducing the environmental impact of their operations, as set out in the second annual report highlighting achievements under the FDF's Fivefold Environmental Ambition; notes in particular the one million tonnes of carbon already saved compared to the 1990 baseline and the clear trajectory towards further substantial savings in future, vital in the context of the Copenhagen Climate Change negotiations, together with the efforts being made to increase efficiency in the use of water, eliminate waste to landfill, reduce packaging and improve transport performance; and welcomes the leadership being shown in demonstrating that good environmental practice makes good business sense and the contribution this makes to maintaining a competitive manufacturing base in the UK to help meet the challenges of food security and provide a platform for skilled employment and innovation in a sector of key importance to the economy.","date":"2009-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39952","proposer":"10222","edm":"390","session":"2009-10","title":"Non-Native Invasive Species","text":"That this House is concerned that the annual cost to the economy of non-native invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Hottentot fig is in excess of two billion pounds; notes that the most cost-effective and least environmentally-damaging approach to solving the problems caused by non-native invasive species is through prevention, rapid response and early intervention; recognises that non-native invasive species have the ability to cause damage to the environment, the economy, our health and the way we live; further notes that the Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain calls for a rapid response system to be created and preventative approach adopted; expresses regret that sufficiently robust controls to prevent the arrival of species known to already be causing damage elsewhere are not in place; expresses further regret that there is no statutory obligation for statutory bodies to enact a rapid response system and no designated resources have been declared for prevention and rapid response; and calls on the Government to designate responsibility and resources so that such systems can be implemented.","date":"2009-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39684","proposer":"10394","edm":"147","session":"2009-10","title":"Prince's Rainforests Project","text":"That this House supports the work of The Prince's Rainforests Project, which aims to halt the current rate of forest destruction of 32,000 hectares per week; recognises that rainforests absorb 10 per cent. of all the carbon dioxide produced in the world, but that burning them produces 17 per cent. of the earth's carbon dioxide, more than all the transport systems in the world put together; believes that climate change cannot be stopped unless saving the rainforests is put at the heart of the policy; acknowledges that over one third of the rainforests have already been destroyed, and that large-scale further destruction could prevent them from producing the essential oxygen and moisture the planet needs; further recognises that one per cent. of currently-assessed rainforest plant species give us 25 per cent. of essential life-saving drugs and that it is folly to continue the destruction of habitat where 99 per cent. of the species of all types have not been measured or assessed; understands that rainforests are on the agenda for the Copenhagen Summit; and calls on the Government to press for an urgent agreement on a funding mechanism which makes the rainforests worth more alive than dead.","date":"2009-11-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39577","proposer":"11245","edm":"40","session":"2009-10","title":"Keep Britain Tidy Charity","text":"That this House warmly congratulates Keep Britain Tidy, the environmental charity and anti-litter campaign for England, on its campaign against litter and neglect for better cared-for and more attractive places; notes that Keep Britain Tidy is passionate about cleaner, greener places andalso runs programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches, and the Green Flag for parks to demonstrate practical action; recognises the Government's support of such charities to enable their work; and congratulates all those who are involved.","date":"2009-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39189","proposer":"10465","edm":"1962","session":"2008-09","title":"Tracking Near Earth Objects","text":"That this House notes the collision of a large object with the planet Jupiter, causing an impact scar in the Jovian atmosphere the size of the earth; believes it is a matter of scientific fact that earth will, sooner or later, be hit by a large near earth object capable of destroying a significant proportion of life on earth; further notes such an impact would be more damaging to the British economy than the failure of a bank, but that the Government has spent more on preventing the bankruptcy of Royal Bank of Scotland than the entire cost of tracking and diverting any near earth object capable of incinerating the United Kingdom; and calls on the Government to implement all 14 recommendations of the Near Earth Object Task Group which published its report and recommendations in 2000.","date":"2009-07-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"39124","proposer":"10001","edm":"1902","session":"2008-09","title":"Vedanta Resources Plc And The Niyamgiri Region","text":"That this House supports the Kondh tribal people of Niyamgiri, India in opposing the British-listed company Vedanta Resources plc project to construct a bauxite mine in the area; recognises that the plans will cause immense irreversible environmental damage to an area of great conservation significance; further recognises that Niyamgiri is also the ancestral and spiritual home to thousands of people who depend on it for their food, livelihoods, culture and as the seat of their god; and calls on the Government to take action to prevent Vedanta Resources plc from constructing the bauxite mine in that area.","date":"2009-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"38878","proposer":"10597","edm":"1687","session":"2008-09","title":"Low Carbon Industrial Strategy","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to the development of a Low Carbon Industrial Strategy; and calls on the Government to include within the scope of the strategy policies for strategic support for all parts of the environmental technology sector, including those concerned with the quality and condition of water, soil and air, which are vital areas of technology both for environmental protection and for the competitiveness of UK business.","date":"2009-06-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"38889","proposer":"11245","edm":"1698","session":"2008-09","title":"Keep Britain Tidy Campaign","text":"That this House warmly congratulates Keep Britain Tidy, the environmental charity and anti-litter campaign for England, on its work; notes that Keep Britain Tidy also runs programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches, and the Green Flag for parks to demonstrate practical action; recognises the Government's support of such charities to enable their work; and congratulates all those who are involved.","date":"2009-06-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"38702","proposer":"10521","edm":"1532","session":"2008-09","title":"Noise Action Week","text":"That this House welcomes Noise Action Week from 18 to 22 May 2009 co-ordinated by the charity Environmental Protection and supported by the Institute of Acoustics; applauds the objective of promoting practical solutions to everyday noise problems; notes the shhh ... say NO to noise! campaign as set out on www.noiseactionweek.org.uk; and urges the Government to publish its Noise Strategy for England without further delay.","date":"2009-05-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"38503","proposer":"10616","edm":"1348","session":"2008-09","title":"Tropical Deforestation, Biofuels, Palm Oil And Indonesia","text":"That this House recognises the manifold value of tropical rainforests; notes evidence presented at the 2009 American Association for the Advancement of Science that deforestation in South East Asia and elsewhere in the tropics is in part being spurred by US and EU biofuel incentives, both indirectly and directly, including via demand for palm oil; regrets Indonesia's decision to resume planting oil palms on rainforest peatlands, which causes huge releases of carbon dioxide; notes the warning by the EU Joint Research Centre that, by such releases alone, the EU biofuel programme is likely to cause more emissions than it saves; further notes the emergency statement by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination against Indonesia for failing to safeguard indigenous peoples' rights in relation to oil palm concessions; urges the government of Indonesia to restore its moratorium on new peatland plantations and to attend more closely to the rights of all its citizens; and further recognises the need both to tackle demand for commodities that incentivise deforestation and for an effective, equitable international agreement to curb deforestation and loss of major carbon sinks in a manner that ensures justice for forest peoples.","date":"2009-04-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37647","proposer":"10383","edm":"587A1","session":"2008-09","title":"GREENPEACE'S EMAIL CAMPAIGN ON HEATHROW","text":"at end add `but recognises the strength of feeling against Heathrow expansion which has provoked this campaign; and calls on the Government to review its decision on Heathrow in the light of a new national policy statement on aviation.'.","date":"2009-01-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37616","proposer":"10197","edm":"582","session":"2008-09","title":"Air Travel And The Environment","text":"That this House calls on the Government to commit itself to developing atmospheric carbon capture and sequestration methods so as to provide the technology for all airports to remove every gram of carbon dioxide that aeroplanes emit to the atmosphere; further calls on the Government to commit to an initial investment grant of \u00c2\u00a360 million to develop a working prototype by 2012; and requests that no further expansion of aviation traffic takes place, including at Heathrow, until such carbon dioxide removal technology is in operation.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37621","proposer":"10472","edm":"587","session":"2008-09","title":"GREENPEACE'S EMAIL CAMPAIGN ON HEATHROW","text":"That this House notes that a campaign by Greenpeace sent around 7,000 largely identical emails to hon. Members who had signed an Early Day Motion about Heathrow; observes that this caused some hon. Members' mailboxes to become unavailable to constituents who wished to discuss this or other issues or personal problems; further notes that a request to discontinue was not accepted unless hon. Members were willing to commit to vote as the organisation wished; and believes that denial of email service by mass spam is an inappropriate and unpersuasive tactic.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37498","proposer":"11923","edm":"474","session":"2008-09","title":"Composting Permits And Charges","text":"That this House expresses concern at proposals within the Environmental Permitting Regulations which would charge schools to register for composting; recognises that the proposed \u00c2\u00a350 charge would serve as a deterrent for schools considering introducing composting; believes it would impact negatively on the environmental education of children in schools and undermine the Government's current efforts to encourage the public to dispose of their waste in an environmentally-friendly manner; and urges the Government to reverse its decision to charge a composting permit on anything which is outside the private individual's garden.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37468","proposer":"10197","edm":"445","session":"2008-09","title":"Rainforests And Climate Change","text":"That this House notes the alarming rise in deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest over recent months; further notes that deforestation already accounts for 20 per cent. of global carbon dioxide emissions each year and that curbing deforestation is one of the single most effective ways of halting catastrophic climate change; welcomes new EU targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent. by 2020, but recognises that any reductions could be entirely negated by increased rates of deforestation; and therefore calls on the Government to lead an international coalition to take up the offer from the President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, to place his country's entire 50 million acre rainforest estate under the protection of multi-national trust, in return for development aid.","date":"2009-01-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37399","proposer":"10295","edm":"383","session":"2008-09","title":"Hybrid Car Manufacturing In The UK","text":"That this House encourages the Government to take heed of the ecological and economic aims behind the Australian government's deal with Toyota to build fuel-efficient hybrid cars; presses the Government to pursue similar objectives to develop a UK-manufactured hybrid car; and calls on the Government to follow Australia's example in negotiating with Japanese and other car manufacturers, to consistently aim to create more opportunities for the UK car industry, particularly in the current ecomomic climate, and in turn to further active concern for the environment.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37384","proposer":"11494","edm":"369","session":"2008-09","title":"Greenest University Award","text":"That this House congratulates the University of Gloucestershire on being ranked first in the UK the People and Planet's Green League 2008, which is supported by the World Wildlife Fund; notes that the university has become a sector leader in environmental performance and gained stars from People and Planet in the categories of environmental policy, environmental staff, environmental audit, Fairtrade university status, ethical investment policy, carbon emissions per head and water usage; commends the university on the appointment of Professor Daniella Tilbury as its first Director of Sustainability; wishes the University of Gloucestershire well in its future efforts to lead the university sector on sustainability issues; and hopes that its example will inspire other universities to improve their environmental performance.","date":"2008-12-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37350","proposer":"10526","edm":"339","session":"2008-09","title":"Environmental Impact Of Third Runway At Heathrow","text":"That this House notes the Government's commitment given in the 2003 Aviation White Paper, The Future of Air Transport to reduce noise impacts and to ensure that air quality and environmental standards are met before proceeding with a third runway at Heathrow Airport; further notes the assurance given by the Prime Minister on 12 November 2008 that support for a third runway at Heathrow is subject to strict environmental conditions; further notes that Heathrow Airport is already in breach of the European Air Quality Directive to be implemented by 2010; welcomes the statement by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that these environmental commitments should be honoured; supports the Chairman of the Environment Agency's decision to oppose the third runway on environmental grounds; and calls upon the Government not to proceed with the third Heathrow runway or mixed-mode and to put the matter to a vote on the floor of the House.","date":"2008-12-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37308","proposer":"10658","edm":"299","session":"2008-09","title":"Emissions Performance Standard","text":"That this House believes that, in light of the strong recommendation made by the Climate Change Committee that the power sector should be almost fully decarbonised by 2030, and its warning of the potential dangers of a purely market-led approach leading to carbon lock in, the Government should bring forward early legislation to introduce a greenhouse gas emissions performance standard to apply to all new power generation capacity.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37329","proposer":"10295","edm":"320","session":"2008-09","title":"Cafod And The Hallmark Nickel Project In The Philippines","text":"That this House supports the work of CAFOD in exposing the significant reservations about the Hallmark Nickel project in the Philippines run by BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company; notes the potential impact this project will have on the local community which relies mostly on fishing and farming to survive; expresses concern that CAFOD's investigation has found flaws in the community consent process, allegations of bribery by BHP Billiton's local partner and Philippine government officials, lack of transparency and information sharing with the community and potential dangers to the environment and to local livelihoods; calls on BHP Billiton and the Philippine government to act on the recommendations in CAFOD's report; recognises that the private sector is an essential part of economic growth but that businesses need to operate within an effective regulatory framework which balances profits against the needs of citizens and reduces the risk of bribery; calls on the UK to adopt a new anti-bribery law that complies fully with the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development Anti-Bribery Convention and covers corporate liability for corruption abroad; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation requiring companies to disclose information about the human rights, environmental and social impacts of private sector projects as well as the payments they make to governments on a country by country basis, in order for citizens to access the information they need about the costs and benefits of such projects.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37332","proposer":"11707","edm":"323","session":"2008-09","title":"Illegal Logging (No. 2)","text":"That this House welcomes the recent publication of the Environmental Investigation Agency's Buyer Beware report into UK sales of wood sourced from illegally logged trees; is deeply concerned that the current system of industry self-regulation is not effective in preventing the use of such wood in new and existing UK building developments; regrets that consumers often lack adequate information to make truly informed choices when purchasing timber products; praises those retailers and suppliers who ensure that they can trace the origins of their timber products; calls on all retailers and suppliers to ensure that their timber products are sourced from legal and sustainable sources; calls on the Government to make it an offence knowingly to sell or distribute timber products derived from illegal logging; further calls on the Government to take the lead in securing concerted efforts within the European Union to regulate the importation of illegally-sourced timber products, as has happened in the United States; and further calls on the Government to promote its own public procurement policy for timber products to other industries as industry best practice.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37335","proposer":"10597","edm":"326","session":"2008-09","title":"Food And Drink Federation And Reducing Environmental Impact","text":"That this House welcomes the Food and Drink Federation's (FDF) recent one year on update on its Five-fold Environmental Ambition which highlights the ongoing commitment of food and drink manufacturers to reducing the sector's environmental impact; takes particular note of the investment in new environmental technologies and infrastructure to achieve reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, waste to landfill, the amount of packaging reaching households, the amount of water used in factories, and achieving fewer and friendlier food miles; and encourages more companies in the sector to sign up to the FDF's groundbreaking environmental framework.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37301","proposer":"10616","edm":"86A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Orang-Utans And Palm Oil","text":"after `Borneo', insert ` and Sumatra'.","date":"2008-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37302","proposer":"10616","edm":"86A2","session":"2008-09","title":"Orang-Utans And Palm Oil","text":"leave out from `welcomes' to end and add `deplores the failure of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil to act against members who continue to convert forest lands and peatlands to oil palm plantations; further notes the value of tropical peatlands in protecting rare megafauna such as the orang-utan, and the carbon dioxide emissions when such land is drained to support plantations of any kind; and urges the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia to rescind all licences for new plantations on peatland and implement a moratorium on further forest conversions to monoculture plantations.'.","date":"2008-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37143","proposer":"10173","edm":"151","session":"2008-09","title":"National Tree Week","text":"That this House congratulates the Tree Council on the launch of the 34th National Tree Week with its theme of planting trees to green the future; further congratulates the Trees and Design Action Group on publishing draft guidelines aimed at developing better understanding about trees amongst developers, planners, architects, landscape and urban designers and all other concerned professionals; welcomes moves to encourage both urban and rural communities to rise to the challenge of ensuring a green legacy for successive generations; acknowledges the responsibility to maintain, protect and increase the impressive tree inheritance of which the current generation are now custodians, left by previous generations; urges those in positions of responsibility to safeguard existing trees whilst ensuring the environment benefits from new plantings; recognises that major canopy trees, in particular, will play a critical role in mitigating the extremes of climate change in urban areas as well as supporting wildlife, encouraging health and well-being and enhancing neighbourhoods and local identity; and acknowledges that a society grows great when people plant trees in whose shade they will never sit, whereas a society with no trees has no future.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37175","proposer":"11489","edm":"183","session":"2008-09","title":"Transition Town Lampeter","text":"That this House congratulates the work of the Transition Town movement in Lampeter, which seeks ways to respond to the challenges of peak oil and climate change; welcomes Lampeter's official establishment as a Transition Town in April 2008 after receiving widespread support from local residents, public bodies and businesses; believes that a grassroots approach to tackling the serious environmental issues that will affect everyone now and in the future is vital to ensure both local and global action; and wishes Lampeter well as a key part of the burgeoning Transition Town movement.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37061","proposer":"10006","edm":"69","session":"2008-09","title":"Illegal Logging","text":"That this House notes the problem of illegal logging, which is valued at 10 to 15 billion euro per year and costs producer countries billions in lost revenue, causes huge losses of biodiversity and widespread environmental damage; notes that research by WWF has estimated that the EU is responsible for at least three billion euro of this, with the UK being one of the largest importers of illegal timber within the EU; further notes that the problem of illegal imports entering the EU via third countries such as China is not prevented by the current EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Action Plan; and calls on the Government to support moves to introduce legislation making it an offence to import, sell and distribute illegal timber in the UK and EU.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37067","proposer":"10006","edm":"75","session":"2008-09","title":"Climate Change And Biodiversity","text":"That this House notes with concern the negative impact climate change will have on biodiversity and the challenges wildlife will face migrating through increasingly damaged and fragmented landscapes; acknowledges that a landscape scale approach is required to help the environment to better adapt to change, provide ecological services such as flood prevention and pollution reduction and accommodate wildlife movement; and therefore calls on the Government to facilitate this through promotion of a holistic approach incorporating a range of bodies at local, regional and central government level as well as private organisations and individuals.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37069","proposer":"10006","edm":"77","session":"2008-09","title":"Living Landscape Schemes","text":"That this House congratulates The Wildlife Trusts for having developed a hundred Living Landscape schemes across the UK as part of a programme to help the natural environment adapt to climate change; acknowledges the importance of the services the natural environment provides to society, such as pollution control, flood alleviation and improvements to quality of life; recognises the contribution that these schemes make towards providing these services; calls upon the Government to put the natural environment at the heart of the 2008 Climate Change Act's rollout of adaptation programmes and policies; and urges the Government to make changes where necessary to the full range of land use and land management policies that influence the natural environment's ability to adapt to climate change, land use planning, agricultural support systems, site protection systems and water and flood management.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"37078","proposer":"11318","edm":"86","session":"2008-09","title":"Orang-Utans And Palm Oil","text":"That this House expresses concern about the growth of oil palm plantations in Borneo; notes that many oil palm plantations have replaced the rainforest, which is the habitat for the orang-utan; is further concerned that increasing habitat destruction could lead to the extinction of the orang-utan within five years; welcomes the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil; and urges the palm oil industry to take responsible action to protect orang-utan habitats and become sustainable.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36953","proposer":"11489","edm":"2536","session":"2007-08","title":"Transition Town Lampeter","text":"That this House congratulates the work of the Transition Town movement in Lampeter, which seeks ways to respond to the challenges of peak oil and climate change; welcomes Lampeter's official establishment as a Transition Town in April 2008 after receiving widespread support from local residents, public bodies and businesses; believes that a grassroots approach to tackling the serious environmental issues that will affect everyone now and in the future is vital to ensure both local and global action; and wishes Lampeter well as a key part of the Burgeoning Transition Town movement.","date":"2008-11-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36899","proposer":"11923","edm":"2492","session":"2007-08","title":"Registration Fees For Composting","text":"That this House expresses concern at proposals within the Environmental Permitting Regulations which would charge schools to register for composting; recognises that the proposed \u00c2\u00a350 charge would serve as a deterrent for schools considering introducing composting; believes it would impact negatively on the environmental education of children in schools and undermine the Government's current efforts to encourage the public to dispose of their waste in an environmentally friendly manner; and urges the Government to reverse its decision to charge a composting permit on anything which is outside the private individual's garden.","date":"2008-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36844","proposer":"10155","edm":"2445","session":"2007-08","title":"Breach Of Air Quality Laws In London","text":"That this House notes that the UK has been in breach of air quality laws for particulate matter in London since 2005 and that, as of 1st November 2008, had missed its final chance to seek a delay against legal action; further notes that these European air quality laws are designed to tackle pollution and stop the harmful effects of particulate matter on people suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases; further notes that the Government had been warned by the Campaign for Clean Air in London and by the European Commission that it would become liable for immediate prosecution if it failed to notify a request to the European Commission by 31st October 2008 for a time extension to show how it planned to comply in the future with these air quality laws; further notes that the Air Quality Minister, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, admitted this failure in the House of Lords on 4th November 2008; believes that if the Government is unable to comply with air quality laws it agreed to and has known about since 1999 then its credibility on its intention to tackle climate change is seriously undermined; and therefore calls on the European Commission to begin urgent legal action against the Government to obtain long overdue compliance and to bring some hope for the thousands of Londoners suffering from asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36847","proposer":"10707","edm":"2442","session":"2007-08","title":"Agriculture (S.i., 2008, No. 2349)","text":"That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2349), dated 1st September 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 4th September, be annulled.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36821","proposer":"10541","edm":"2427","session":"2007-08","title":"OBAMA'S GREEN NEW DEAL","text":"That this House congratulates Barack Obama on his historic victory in the US presidential election; welcomes, in particular, his proposals for a Green New Deal, investing $150 billion and delivering five million jobs in turning the US into a sustainable energy economy; and calls upon the Government to initiate a similar programme in the UK.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36765","proposer":"11707","edm":"2378","session":"2007-08","title":"Illegal Logging (No. 2)","text":"That this House welcomes the recent publication of the Environmental Investigation Agency's `Buyer Beware' report into UK sales of wood sourced from illegally logged trees; is deeply concerned that the current system of industry self-regulation is not effective in preventing the use of such wood in new and existing UK building developments; regrets that consumers often lack adequate information to make truly informed choices when purchasing timber products; praises those retailers and suppliers who ensure that they can trace the origins of their timber products; calls on all retailers and suppliers to ensure that their timber products are sourced from legal and sustainable sources; further calls on the Government to make it an offence to knowingly sell or distribute timber products derived from illegal logging; further calls on the Government to take the lead in securing concerted efforts within the European Union to regulate the importation of illegally sourced timber products, as has happened in the United States; and further calls on the Government to promote its own public procurement policy for timber products to other industries as industry best practice.","date":"2008-10-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36771","proposer":"10336","edm":"2337A1","session":"2007-08","title":"South West Regional Spatial Strategy (No. 2)","text":"after `development', insert `including national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites, sites of special scientific interest, candidate special areas of conservation under the Water Framework Directive and planning conservation areas'.","date":"2008-10-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36717","proposer":"11494","edm":"2337","session":"2007-08","title":"South West Regional Spatial Strategy (No. 2)","text":"That this House has no confidence in a South West Regional Spatial Strategy that allows the prioritisation of greenfield over brownfield sites, that is based on outdated projections of both housing market and economic growth, that takes no account of purpose built accommodation for students, that does not recognise the environmental constraints on development and has in effect simply implemented national policies and ignored widespread local opposition from across the region and from all parties and none and from parishes to parliament; notes that hon. Members have had no opportunity to debate specific details of the Strategy with Ministers or in regional select committees and were denied speaking rights at the formal examination of the strategy in public; further notes the specific threat to long-established Green Belt surrounding Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, Bournemouth and Poole; further notes that while Ministers have repeatedly claimed that it is for local authorities to take the lead on the implementation of the Strategy, in practice they are powerless to stop developers already applying to develop greenfield sites and citing the site-specific maps in the Strategy in their defence; and calls on the Government to abandon the South West Regional Spatial Strategy or to urgently revise it to reflect democratically expressed local views, the environmental limits of development and the need to prioritise the development of brownfield sites before greenfield sites by reintroducing the sequential test.","date":"2008-10-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36564","proposer":"10790","edm":"2215","session":"2007-08","title":"Hydrocarbon Oil Duty","text":"That this House acknowledges the contribution that the waste oil recycling industry makes to the recovery of hazardous waste oil from the waste stream; welcomes the investment and innovation undertaken to convert hazardous waste oil into reusable product; further welcomes the fact that this product helps cut emissions, diverts waste oil from landfill, and conserves natural resources; notes with concern the effect that the proposed application of hydrocarbon oil duty at a rate of 9.29 pence per litre (equivalent to \u00c2\u00a3105 per 1,000 kilograms) on this product from 1st November 2008 will have on the collection and reprocessing of waste fuel oil; and calls on the Government to review its decision not to apply the minimum rate of duty of 15 euros per 1,000 kilograms (broadly equivalent to \u00c2\u00a311.50 per 1,000 kilograms) on the use of waste fuel oil permitted by the Energy Products Directive.","date":"2008-10-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36524","proposer":"13712","edm":"2173","session":"2007-08","title":"Fife Fares, Not Fair Campaign","text":"That this House notes with concern that the cost of travelling by train to and from Fife is often disproportionately more than the cost of train journeys in other parts of Scotland; recognises its continued commitment to the promotion of environmentally-friendly modes of transport; and welcomes the Fife fares, not fair campaign for cheaper train travel.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36527","proposer":"11923","edm":"2176","session":"2007-08","title":"Counterfeit Pesticides","text":"That this House recognises that there is an increasing presence of counterfeit pesticides on the European market; notes with concern that fake pesticides pose a significant threat to the health of farmers, consumers and the environment; further notes with concern that the reputations of food producers and farmers are tainted by replica pesticides; expresses concern at their negative economic impact; and calls on the Government to recognise the extent of the problem and reassess the current legal mechanisms used to regulate their use.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36538","proposer":"11318","edm":"2189","session":"2007-08","title":"Taking Forward The Marine Bill","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the Government's Command Paper Taking Forward the Marine Bill; further welcomes the Prime Minister's inclusion of the Bill in the draft legislative programme for 2008-09; acknowledges the work of Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of environmental organisations including the Marine Conservation Society, the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts and WWF-UK for their ongoing campaign for a Marine Bill; notes that robust legislation is needed to secure effective management and protection of UK seas; encourages the Government to include the necessary statutory duties in the Bill to safeguard the effective implementation of its proposals; urges the Government to continue the dialogue with the devolved administrations to ensure that marine legislation is coherent across borders; and calls on the Prime Minister to include this Bill in the Queen's Speech and to introduce it into Parliament at the earliest opportunity.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36539","proposer":"11814","edm":"2190","session":"2007-08","title":"Living Landscape Schemes","text":"That this House congratulates The Wildlife Trusts for having developed a hundred Living Landscape schemes across the UK as part of a programme to help the natural environment adapt to climate change; acknowledges the importance of the services the natural environment provides to society such as pollution control, flood alleviation and improvements to our quality of life; recognises the contribution that these schemes make towards providing these services; calls upon the Government to put the natural environment at the heart of the Climate Change Bill's adaptation programmes and policies; and urges it to make changes where necessary to the full range of land use and land management policies that influence the natural environment's ability to adapt to climate change, land use planning, agricultural support systems, site protection systems, water and flood management.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36541","proposer":"10790","edm":"2192","session":"2007-08","title":"ECUADORIAN GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL FOR SAVING THE YASUNI FOREST","text":"That this House welcomes the proposal of the Ecuadorian government to preserve the Yasun\u00c3\u00ad forest by asking the international community to pay for not exploiting the oil reserves which lie underneath it; but believes that the proposal must include an unconditional, non-reversible commitment from the Ecuadorian government to preserve Yasun\u00c3\u00ad and protect the human rights of its people and must include an unlimited extension of the time given to reach agreement on how to do this and an international process led by the Ecuadorian Government, with full participation from local and indigenous groups in the region, to create a clear, coherent and fully representative proposal for securing a long-term sustainable future for Yasun\u00c3\u00ad; believes that this process should work in partnership with supportive non-governmental organisations and governments, and must also include a further assurance that any financial support from governments will come through an open, democratic and accountable process, and will not involve carbon trading, World Bank funding or debt cancellation schemes, which have proved ineffective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and damaging to local people's rights around the world; and finally considers that the proposal must include an assurance that any other projects which may have a negative impact on the area will not be allowed to go ahead.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36494","proposer":"11923","edm":"2143","session":"2007-08","title":"National Parks","text":"That this House notes that National Parks are run by appointed individuals; further notes that National Parks have many of the powers of local councils, but without any formal accountability; recognises that the National Parks' authorities would gain more trust and respect if a proportion of their members were directly elected; welcomes the consultation on direct elections for National Parks that has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and calls for National Parks to have a directly elected element to ensure that they are accountable to the people who live there.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36499","proposer":"11668","edm":"2149","session":"2007-08","title":"Garstang Entente Florale Success","text":"That this House congratulates the Lancashire town of Garstang on its recent success in winning the Entente Florale Europe competition; notes that the international competition is run by the European Association for Flowers and Landscape in order to promote a greener and more pleasant environment in European towns and villages; and further notes that this honour comes on top of Garstang being the world's first Fair Trade Town and its concurrent successes in the UK Britain in Bloom competitions.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36513","proposer":"11522","edm":"2163","session":"2007-08","title":"Bisphenol","text":"That this House calls upon the Government to follow the example set by Canada in declaring bisphenol A a toxic chemical requiring determined action to limit human and environmental exposures; and notes with concern Exeter University's research on this chemical, commonly used in plastic containers, cans and dentistry, showing higher heart disease, diabetes risks and liver enzymes arising from concentrations of the chemical in the body.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36518","proposer":"10272","edm":"2168","session":"2007-08","title":"Environmental Impact Of Aviation","text":"That this House welcomes the decision of the European Union to include aviation in the European Union Emission Trading Scheme from 2012; believes that this represents a positive step towards cutting greenhouse gases which will encourage the adoption of more efficient aircraft technologies and operation and help to ensure the aviation industry pays its external environmental costs; notes with concern HM Treasury's proposal to introduce an aviation duty; expresses serious concern at the way the proposal is currently constructed, which will impact negatively on regional development, on both the passenger transport and air-freight divisions of the UK aviation industry and threaten jobs; and calls for the retention and adaptation of the current system of air passenger duty which, in conjunction with the European Union Emission Trading Scheme, represents a more effective policy instrument for delivering environmental benefits than the proposed aviation duty.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36397","proposer":"10586","edm":"2055","session":"2007-08","title":"Environmentally Friendly Flame Retardants","text":"That this House welcomes the recent European Court of Justice ruling to overturn the exemption granted to the flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ethers (Deca-BDE) under the Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; notes with concern the research into Deca-BDE, which has found that it can bio-accumulate in the bodies of animals and degrade into toxic and carcinogenic forms in the environment; further notes the Swedish Chemicals Agency report in November 2004, which found that there were indications that the brominated flame retardant Deca-BDE could interfere with the development of the brain and has been found in human breast milk; consequently calls on the Government to ensure that the ban on Deca-BDE is extended to cover not only electronics, but also medical devices and textiles when this legislation is reviewed towards the end of 2008; and further calls on the Government as the environmental rapporteur to make a commitment to encourage the use of halogen-free flame retardants in the United Kingdom.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36373","proposer":"11245","edm":"2032","session":"2007-08","title":"Palm Oil And Acacia Plantations","text":"That this House notes that the expansion of palm oil production threatens rainforests around the tropics; further notes that some 3,200,000 hectares of oil palms in Indonesia and Malaysia are grown on peatland; further notes that such cultivation on deep peat releases many more times greenhouse emissions than the palm oil can save when used in biodiesel, yet such biodiesel can be labelled as making a carbon saving according to the Department for Transport's carbon and sustainability reporting requirements published in January 2008; further notes that EU palm oil imports are being used to replace vegetable oils in for-bioenergy generation; further notes also that the expanding cultivation of acacias for woodpulp on peatlands erodes the peat even faster; further notes the WWF report which indicates that these industries are causing an alarming decline in Sumatran elephants and tigers, and that most future forest clearances in Sumatra will be on deep peatland; therefore urges the Government and the international community to press the Indonesian government to rescind all concessions for new plantations on peatland; further urges the Government to end the labelling of biofuels as saving emissions where this is a false statement; and further urges the Government and the EU to take action to stop the destruction of forests and to be honest about the overall impact of their biofuel policy for reducing carbon emissions.","date":"2008-07-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36347","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A3","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"Leave out `is concerned","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36348","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A4","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"Leave out `charge'","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36360","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"leave out `is concerned at the news' and insert `notes that'.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36361","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"leave out from `charge' to end and add `congratulates him on so speedily honouring this manifesto promise upon which he was democratically elected.'.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36315","proposer":"10001","edm":"1983","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"That this House is concerned at the news that Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to drop plans to introduce a \u00c2\u00a325 carbon dioxide charge on the most polluting vehicles entering central London; notes that the plans were introduced in an attempt to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the capital; further notes that the plans would have made huge progress in encouraging people to use public transport in London; recognises that if climate change is ever to be successfully tackled considerable changes like the congestion charges must be brought in; further recognises that dealing with the fuel crisis means people should be encouraged to drive smaller cars and use less fuel; believes it is unfair that by scrapping the plans the taxpayer must finance \u00c2\u00a3400,000 in a legal payout to Porsche; and calls on the Mayor seriously to reconsider his decision bearing in mind the necessity of fighting climate change, the importance of encouraging the use of public transport and the unfairness of asking taxpayers to foot a \u00c2\u00a3400,000 legal bill.","date":"2008-07-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36290","proposer":"10790","edm":"1966","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Efficiency","text":"That this House believes energy efficiency must be the cornerstone of the UK's carbon reduction policies; welcomes and supports leading business and environmental organisations working together on an energy efficiency scorecard assessing current Government policy; and believes that the scorecard makes an important contribution to the energy efficiency debate and highlights the urgent need for ambitious policies that reflect the huge potential for energy efficiency identified by the Stern report.","date":"2008-07-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36162","proposer":"11783","edm":"1853","session":"2007-08","title":"Kew And Plastic Bags","text":"That this House commends the community of Kew in West London for striving to become London's first disposable plastic bag free ward from 1st July 2008; believes plastic bags to be unnecessary and wasteful; recognises the environmental damage caused by their production and transport, and the inherent difficulties in their disposal; acknowledges the concern caused by their longevity and persistent presence, in particular in the marine environment, long after their usefulness as a bag has expired; congratulates local residents for their commitment to the environment; and applauds the efforts of local traders in working with the Kew Society to replace plastic bags with biodegradable cornstarch bags, paper bags and re-usable bags made from environmentally-friendly and ethically sourced materials.","date":"2008-06-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36153","proposer":"10076","edm":"1844","session":"2007-08","title":"JAGUAR'S AWARD FOR BRITAIN'S GREENEST LUXURY CAR","text":"That this House congratulates Jaguar on receiving the award for Britain's greenest luxury car in the Environmental Transport Association's 2008 Car Buyers Guide in respect of the XJ 2.7 Diesel; notes that the model in question, built at the firm's Castle Bromwich plant in Erdington, is capable of achieving 1000.2 miles on a single tank of fuel, the average fuel consumption hitting 53.5mpg; recognises Jaguar Land Rover's commitment to delivering carbon dioxide and fuel consumption reductions to customers through development of industry-leading diesel engines and application of advanced lightweight aluminium vehicle architectures; and calls on the Government to take full account of the environmental advances and the reduced carbon footprint of products of UK-based car makers when making decisions on Ministerial cars.","date":"2008-06-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36124","proposer":"10245","edm":"1820","session":"2007-08","title":"International Court For The Environment","text":"That this House welcomes the proposal from Stephen Hockman QC, Chris Osborne and LECG to establish an International Court for the Environment, as the supreme legal authority for settling issues regarding harm to the environment, and for specifying the ecological conditions which must be met if the biosphere is to operate effectively without a major disruption to human communities and other life; notes that a symposium on this is being held in the British Library on 28th November; and calls on the Government and business to combine to support such a measure for the sake of a sustainable future.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36099","proposer":"10790","edm":"1795","session":"2007-08","title":"Contraction And Convergence","text":"That this House welcomes the joint statement of President Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, made on 9th June at the Ninth Franco-German Council of Ministers, in which they said `The international climate regime should be based on legitimate principles of equity, such as long-term convergence of emission levels per capita in the various countries'; and calls upon the Government to issue a similar statement.","date":"2008-06-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36102","proposer":"10608","edm":"1798","session":"2007-08","title":"Unabated Coal-Fired Electricity Generation","text":"That this House considers that in the light of the current state of knowledge of climate change and of the Government's response in the form of the Climate Change Bill, which will set out a mandatory framework for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, it would not be proper to license any new coal-fired electricity generating plant that does not have provisions for abating carbon dioxide emissions.","date":"2008-06-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36083","proposer":"10295","edm":"1782","session":"2007-08","title":"Hybrid Car Manufacturing In The UK","text":"That this House congratulates the Australian government on its recent deal with Toyota to build fuel efficient hybrid cars in Australia; encourages the Government to take heed of the ecological and economic aims behind such a deal; presses the Government to pursue similar objectives to have a UK-manufactured hybrid car; and calls on the Government to follow Australia's example in negotiating with Japanese and other car manufacturers to aim consistently to create more opportunities for the UK car industry and to further demonstrate active concern for the environment.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36062","proposer":"10716","edm":"1762","session":"2007-08","title":"Puffin Population","text":"That this House notes with alarm that puffin numbers in the North Sea are in sharp decline with colonies on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth falling by nearly a third this year after decades of continual population increases; believes that puffins represent a vital element of UK marine life; recognises that due to puffins' broad spread across the North Sea and their varied diet, any decline in puffin numbers is indicative of broader ecological concerns across the North Sea; further notes that scientists have highlighted warming seas, changes and shifts in puffin food supplies, and intensive fishing across the North Sea as all contributing to the current declining numbers; and calls on the Government to work with local and national ecological groups to safeguard the future of the puffin and to bring forward a Marine Bill to urgently protect the UK's coastline.","date":"2008-06-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36063","proposer":"10790","edm":"1763","session":"2007-08","title":"Official Opposition And Climate Change Bill [lords]","text":"That this House notes that the Climate Change Bill [Lords] received its Second Reading on 9th June 2008 with an overwhelming majority of 344 Ayes to three Noes; further notes that the division on Second Reading was called by hon. Members of the Official Opposition and that far less than 33 per cent. of hon. Members of the Official Opposition voted for the Second Reading; further notes that the Bill has been amended and improved in the House of Lords; and calls upon the Leader of the Opposition to prevent his party from backsliding from its declared environmental commitments.","date":"2008-06-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"36016","proposer":"10229","edm":"1730","session":"2007-08","title":"World Oceans Day","text":"That this House notes that World Oceans Day took place on 8th June 2008; supports this year's theme of helping the climate by helping oceans; recognises the supreme importance of the oceans to wildlife, weather, business, travel, science, medicine, recreation, pleasure and culture; further recognises that Britain is an island nation which depends on the sea for trade; values the work undertaken by marine scientists in highlighting the link between the health of the oceans and climate change; welcomes the progress of the Climate Change Bill and Draft Marine Bill; and congratulates Conrad Humphreys' Blue Project website, which seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the oceans and climate change through marine sportsmen and women acting as champions and ambassadors for action.","date":"2008-06-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35932","proposer":"10190","edm":"1650","session":"2007-08","title":"Stop The Drop Campaign","text":"That this House notes that across the UK an estimated 30 million tonnes of litter is collected and that it costs in excess of half a billion pounds per annum to clear the streets of the UK; recognises that the amount of litter dropped yearly in the UK has increased by 500 per cent. since the 1960s and that 1.3 million pieces of rubbish are dropped on Highways Agency roads alone every weekend; further notes that litter makes an area look dirty and uncared for and attracts more litter; understands that over 69,000 animals were killed or injured by litter last year in the UK; and calls on the Government to back publicly the Campaign to Protect Rural England's Stop the Drop campaign which aims to solve the litter and fly-tipping problems blighting the UK's countryside, cities and villages.","date":"2008-06-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35951","proposer":"10105","edm":"1670","session":"2007-08","title":"Open Windrow Composting","text":"That this House is concerned about the increase in open windrow composting sites and the dangers they pose to public health from the release of millions of pathogens into the air and water courses; calls for more research by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive on bio-aerosol dispersion at varying wind speeds and the safe distances of residences from such sites; notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has requested improved bio-aerosol risk assessments to facilitate updated guidance for applicants and further research on dose response is underway; and considers that DEFRA should advise all local authorities that consideration of new applications be deferred until the further research is completed.","date":"2008-06-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35916","proposer":"11494","edm":"1634","session":"2007-08","title":"Stop The Drop Campaign Against Litter And Fly-Tipping","text":"That this House welcomes Stop the Drop, the new campaign by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and its President Bill Bryson to clean up litter and fly-tipping in the countryside; believes that litter and fly-tipping blight too many towns, cities and rural areas and diminish the quality of the local environment across the UK; notes that the campaign calls on local authorities and other responsible bodies to make better use of powers given to them by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to address litter and fly-tipping and punish those responsible for it; further notes that CPRE has welcomed the Government's recent announcement that there will be legislation to require supermarkets to charge for single-use plastic bags unless they make progress on a voluntary basis, but that CPRE is also calling on Ministers to give broader leadership in the fight against litter and fly-tipping; and calls on the Government to support the Stop the Drop campaign, in the first instance by examining the benefits of a deposit scheme for used drinks containers, as currently in place in a number of other countries, to encourage consumers to return and recycle those containers and to reduce their accumulation in the environment as litter.","date":"2008-05-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35896","proposer":"10444","edm":"1618","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change Bill And Corporate Reporting","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's decision to accept an amendment to the Climate Change Bill making it mandatory for large companies to report on their greenhouse gas emissions in their annual business review; congratulates the Government on recognising the need to ensure a level playing field amongst businesses on the important issue of climate change; notes that while 70 per cent. of FTSE350 companies responded to the most recent carbon disclosure project survey about their carbon emissions, less than half provided quantitative data that could be compared with other companies; recognises that climate change is a critical issue facing the world with profound implications for both businesses and investors; and urges the Government to set out a timetable for implementing the powers now in the Bill to set a clear standard for business reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35899","proposer":"11589","edm":"1621","session":"2007-08","title":"Environmental Transformation Fund","text":"That this House recalls the wide welcome in November 2007 for the Prime Minister's announcement of an \u00c2\u00a3800 million fund to help the world's poorest countries adapt to climate change; notes that this environmental transformation fund was widely expected to be administered as direct grants to countries experiencing droughts, storms and sea level rises associated with climate change; is concerned that the Government now intends that this money will be administered by the World Bank mainly in the form of concessionary loans which poor countries will have to repay to the UK with interest; believes that inviting poor countries to incur new debt to cope with climate change contradicts the logic of debt cancellation; notes the plans to promote the environmental transformation fund as a showpiece contribution to developing countries at the G8's meeting in Japan in July; welcomes the indications that some other countries favour grants rather than loans as the working basis of such a fund; calls on the Government to renew the spirit of its principled past endeavours on making poverty history, debt cancellation, transforming aid and leading on climate change; and urges Ministers to commit to this fund in the form of direct grants and as additional aid.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35814","proposer":"10096","edm":"1544","session":"2007-08","title":"Undergrounding Overhead Lines In Protected Areas","text":"That this House recognises that overhead power and telecommunication cables in some of the otherwise most beautiful locations in Great Britain have a detrimental effect on landscape quality; applauds the decision by Ofgem to provide an allowance to electricity suppliers for undergrounding overhead lines in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks between 2005 and 2010; commends those energy companies that have engaged with local communities and stakeholders in protected landscapes markedly to improve the visual landscape; and urges Ofgem to continue the scheme beyond 2010 and to increase the allowance to enable undergrounding in more difficult geographical and geological conditions.","date":"2008-05-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35816","proposer":"10096","edm":"1546","session":"2007-08","title":"Western Power And Undergrounding Overhead Lines In Protected Landscapes","text":"That this House recognises the visual improvements achieved in many beautiful locations in Great Britain through Ofgem's scheme to provide allowances to energy companies for undergrounding overhead lines on the basis of local consultation; is deeply concerned that Western Power, which provides electricity to mid and south Wales and the south west of England, has chosen not to take advantage of these allowances, thus denying possible removal of overhead lines in areas like the Brecon Beacons, Gower, Exmoor, Wye Valley, Dartmoor, Tamar Valley, the Quantocks and the Cornwall, Devon and Pembrokeshire coasts; and urges Western Power to reconsider its position and engage with local stakeholders to help improve the environment over time in these very special places.","date":"2008-05-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35752","proposer":"10383","edm":"1486","session":"2007-08","title":"We Can Parliamentary Vigil","text":"That this House supports the mothers' and children's environmental group We Can, which is holding a vigil outside Parliament on 20th May to ask for Government action on climate change; and welcomes the We Can view that the dangers of global warming are so great that an all-party coalition should be formed to implement a coherent strategy to protect the environment and to put the United Kingdom in the lead on this issue.","date":"2008-05-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35720","proposer":"11427","edm":"1458","session":"2007-08","title":"Environmental Company Of The Year Award","text":"That this House warmly congratulates the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle, its parent company ncjMedia Ltd and Trinity Mirror Printing Newcastle for winning the Environmental Company of the Year award at the prestigious 2008 Newspaper Awards; notes that this category sought the business which had done the most to cut its carbon footprint and make its products greener through energy conservation, using renewable and recycled materials and minimising waste; further notes that the judges praised an `excellent initiative by a regional newspaper group which included involving the local community, through editorial columns, to improve the environment' and that `the publisher showed good overall environmental awareness, producing a comprehensive environmental campaign carried out throughout the business, at its print and publishing sites, within its editorial and out in the community'; and urges other newspapers to emulate this superb example of environmental leadership in the media.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35696","proposer":"10616","edm":"1435","session":"2007-08","title":"Human Displacement By Monocultures","text":"That this House notes with interest the Friends of the Earth report Losing Ground on the many adverse human rights and environmental effects of large-scale palm oil plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia; further notes the widespread reports from the global South of human rights abuses and harm to local environments amid the advance of monocultures associated with the present commodities shock and biofuel drive, including of palm oil elsewhere and of soya, cotton, sugarcane and jatropha; further notes that 11,000 villagers are being displaced in Tanzania by jatropha plantations cultivated for the UK firm Sun Biofuels; urges that British and European decision-makers consult more actively with Southern non-governmental organisations when devising trade and energy policies; and also recognises the need to reduce the UK's ecological footprint in its national choice of energy sources, and the value of individuals doing so within a balanced diet by reducing consumption of animals.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35699","proposer":"10526","edm":"1438","session":"2007-08","title":"Trade Union Case For Workplace Environmental Representatives","text":"That this House notes the warnings set out in the Stern Report about the potential economic, social and environmental effects of climate change; strongly welcomes the fact that the Climate Change Bill, if enacted, will bring in measures to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050; believes that trades unions are ideally placed to promote and implement best environmental practice in the workplace amongst their 6.7 million members; supports the negotiation of sustainable workplace agreements with employers; praises those employers who are developing environmental and sustainable workplace policies; commends those local authorities which have already recognised trades union environmental workplace representatives; and urges the Government to respond positively to the campaigns for trades union environmental representatives to be given the same rights at work as other trades union representatives active in health and safety and lifelong learning.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35702","proposer":"10022","edm":"1441","session":"2007-08","title":"Plastic Bags","text":"That this House welcomes the increased attention in the press to the pollution caused by plastic bags; notes official figures which show that one in 10 public spaces is littered with plastic bags; further notes that single-use plastic bags are only used for an average of 20 minutes but take 1,000 years to rot away; congratulates high street chains Marks & Spencer and Debenhams on their recent decision to impose a five pence charge on their single-use plastic bags; regrets that the Big Four major supermarket retailers, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury's, continue to give away free plastic bags; and calls on the Big Four and other major retailers to follow the example set by Marks & Spencer and Debenhams by introducing a five pence charge on single-use plastic bags to encourage a switch to greener alternatives such as cotton, hemp and jute carriers or re-usable `bags for life'.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35674","proposer":"10578","edm":"1423","session":"2007-08","title":"Standard Definition For Zero-Carbon Homes","text":"That this House believes that if the Government's target of all new homes being zero carbon by 2016 is to be met it is imperative that there must be a uniform definition of what constitutes zero carbon, specifically with regard to the source of heat and power generation; urges the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Treasury to work together to provide clarity in this area to the building industry; calls on the Treasury to lay before the House the definition of a zero carbon home before 31st December 2008; and believes that such definition should be subject to affirmative resolution procedure.","date":"2008-04-24","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35627","proposer":"10578","edm":"1380","session":"2007-08","title":"Complete Life-Cycle Carbon Footprints Of Housing Stock","text":"That this House notes that more than a third of the UK's housing stock predates 1945 and that at current replacement rates it will take several centuries to replace; therefore believes that greater research is needed into evaluating the complete life-cycle carbon footprints of existing housing stock, taking account of energy used in the manufacture of building materials, construction of the home, its efficiency in use, and eventual demolition and recycling or disposal of materials; and urges the Government to investigate the total carbon budgets for renewal and upgrading of existing homes against their demolition and replacement with houses built to higher environmental standards.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35585","proposer":"11971","edm":"1341","session":"2007-08","title":"Reusable Sanitary Products","text":"That this House recognises the importance of reducing waste in tackling climate change; notes that the average woman will dispose of 11,000 sanitary products during her lifetime, adversely affecting the sewage system and contributing to landfill waste; congratulates Mooncup Ltd as a leading producer of a reusable and environmentally friendly sanitary product suitable for use by vegans and those with allergies; expresses concern that this product's availability is restricted to the internet and a limited number of retailers; believes that greater awareness and availability of such products would encourage women to choose this option where appropriate; calls on the Government to encourage use of reusable sanitary protection; and further calls on the pharmaceutical and health industries to stock and promote reusable sanitary protection.","date":"2008-04-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35603","proposer":"10249","edm":"1359","session":"2007-08","title":"Making Suffolk The Greenest County Initiative","text":"That this House congratulates the local authorities in Suffolk for initiating Spring Clean Fortnight; praises the groups and individuals who have taken part in the clean-up campaign; recognises the part that Radio Suffolk has had in promoting this drive through its Don't be a Tosser promotion; and commends the continued efforts of all major political parties, local authorities, religious groups and a great many private businesses and individuals in maintaining the challenge to the other counties of England in the race for the title of England's Greenest County.","date":"2008-04-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35464","proposer":"11199","edm":"1237","session":"2007-08","title":"Risebridge Golf Course","text":"That this House expresses its dismay at the developments that have taken place at Risebridge Golf Course in Romford where, under the guise of landscaping improvements, developers have been granted permission to deposit thousands of cubic metres worth of landfill waste onto Green Belt land; is concerned that this practice is now becoming a nationwide problem and calls on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to investigate fully this environmental disaster and similar instances of its kind; urges the Government to withdraw waste licences pending an inquiry into the activities of these developers; and recommends that the exemption of landfill tax for the improvement of golf courses, which encourages these highly profitable activities, be suspended until all matters relating to this issue are thoroughly examined and investigated.","date":"2008-03-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35448","proposer":"10713","edm":"1222","session":"2007-08","title":"Action On Government Carbon Pollution","text":"That this House notes that the Sustainable Development Commission report, Sustainable Development in Government 2007, published on 18th March, found that nearly two-thirds of government departments are not on track to meet their carbon emissions reduction targets; further notes that when the Ministry of Defence is discounted all performance improvements are negated and that carbon emissions from Civil Service estate offices have increased by 22 per cent. and energy efficiency has worsened by 3.3 per cent. on 2006 levels and that there has been only a 0.1 per cent. reduction in water use against a target of 25 per cent. by 2020; and urges the Government to lead by example in promoting sustainable business through enhancing efforts to reduce carbon pollution and the material consumption of the Government Estate.","date":"2008-03-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35361","proposer":"10586","edm":"1141","session":"2007-08","title":"Marine Bill (No. 3)","text":"That this House believes that technological advances and national commitments have led to an intensification of economic activity in the seas with the potential to cause irreparable damage to marine ecosystems; deplores the fact that at present less than 0.001 per cent. of the UK's sea area is fully protected by law for nature conservation; is mindful that the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's Turning the Tide report concluded in 2004 that at least 30 per cent. of UK waters should be no-take reserves in order to deliver the kind of recovery needed to restore ecosystems and thereby make fish populations sustainable; welcomes the proposal to introduce a Marine Bill; but calls on the Government to ensure that it places a duty on the Secretary of State to establish an ecologically coherent network of highly protected marine reserves covering at least 30 per cent. of UK seas out to 200 nautical miles.","date":"2008-03-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35353","proposer":"10647","edm":"1133","session":"2007-08","title":"Commonwealth Day 2008 -\u0000 The Environment Our Future","text":"That this House notes Commonwealth Day on 10th March; further notes the importance of the theme for 2008, which is The Environment Our Future; believes the Commonwealth is well placed to provide leadership on the global environment, being an organisation of great diversity which includes countries of different sizes in all continents and in arctic, temperate and tropical zones, with varying levels of environmental vulnerability, economic development and energy use, but a shared commitment to human welfare, political rights and parliamentary democracy; commends the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK Branch for its November 2007 seminar Climate Change, Tackling Causes, Managing Impacts which was attended by 85 parliamentarians from Commonwealth and G8+5 countries, and which presented its conclusions to the Bali climate conference; and recognises that special events like the climate change seminar are reinforced and followed up by the CPA UK Branch's annual programme of inter-parliamentary exchanges and international parliamentary strengthening seminars.","date":"2008-03-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35244","proposer":"10177","edm":"1046","session":"2007-08","title":"Carbon Emissions And New Homes","text":"That this House recognises the need to improve domestic energy efficiency in order to tackle climate change and reduce fuel poverty; welcomes the introduction of carbon reduction targets for new homes; however notes that in line with the Code for Sustainable Homes all new homes built using Government grant are required to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent. from April 2008, 44 per cent. from 2012 and to become zero carbon from 2015, whilst private developers will have until 2010, 2013 and 2016 respectively to meet the same targets; is concerned that if three-quarters of the housing market is allowed to lag behind in this way green technologies will not sufficiently benefit from economies of scale and prices will remain unnecessarily high, deterring product take up and imposing higher building costs on the affordable housing sector; and therefore supports the National Housing Federation's campaign asking the Government to commit private developers to the same environmental standards and timetable as housing associations as soon as possible.","date":"2008-02-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35220","proposer":"10190","edm":"1022","session":"2007-08","title":"Virgin Biofuel Flight","text":"That this House congratulates Virgin Atlantic, Boeing, engine maker General Electric and Imperium Renewables on successfully completing the first commercial flight powered partly by biofuel; notes that sustainable fuels such as biofuels will help reduce carbon emissions generated by air travel; further notes that the biofuels used were such that they did not impinge on crops grown for food thereby not affecting global food supplies or prices; and encourages the investment in and the development of this technology in order to ensure an environmentally viable future for the aviation industry.","date":"2008-02-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35196","proposer":"11656","edm":"998","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change And London","text":"That this House recognises that emissions from urban road traffic make a significant contribution towards climate change; notes that carbon dioxide emissions from the largest 4x4s, high powered sports cars and large luxury vehicles can be up to four times as great of those of the least polluting cars; supports measures which encourage people to choose more energy efficient forms of transport; therefore welcomes the ground breaking initiative by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, to introduce a carbon dioxide congestion charge in central London based on the polluter pays principle; further notes that this will help fund improvements in cycling and walking in the capital; and believes that the Mayor should be congratulated for introducing a world leading scheme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35122","proposer":"10521","edm":"941","session":"2007-08","title":"Unregulated Car Wash Sites","text":"That this House recognises the important role that the car wash industry plays in the UK, contributing more than \u00c2\u00a3819 million to the economy and investing in efficient and environmentally friendly equipment; is concerned that this success is threatened by the growth of hand car wash operators who operate outside regulation, in particular the planning and environmental legislation put in place to protect water quality and to prevent pollution of ground and surface water; and calls on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Environment Agency and local authorities to take action to deal with illegal practices arising from unregulated car washes.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"35069","proposer":"10197","edm":"893","session":"2007-08","title":"Rainforests And Climate Change","text":"That this House notes the alarming rise in deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest over recent months; further notes that deforestation already accounts for 20 per cent. of global carbon dioxide emissions each year and that curbing deforestation is one of the single most effective ways of halting catastrophic climate change; welcomes new EU targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent. by 2020, but recognises that any reductions could be entirely negated by increased rates of deforestation; and therefore calls on the Government to take up the offer from the President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, to place his country's entire 50 million acre rainforest estate under the protection of a British-led coalition, in return for development aid.","date":"2008-02-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34978","proposer":"10586","edm":"813","session":"2007-08","title":"Disposable Nappies","text":"That this House notes that three billion disposable nappies are thrown away in the UK every year representing the largest single element, almost 4 per cent., of household waste; foresees that this figure is likely to increase as recycling rates for other waste streams go up; congratulates the Nappy Alliance in their efforts to promote the use of real nappies and the many local authorities who are already actively promoting real nappies to prevent household waste going unnecessarily to landfill; notes the provisions in the Climate Change Bill to pilot financial incentives for recycling and waste minimisation in five local authority areas; concludes that parents of young children can play a key role in reducing household waste by using reusable nappies which actually save them money; and encourages Ministers to ensure that this contribution is maximised in the pilot studies to be undertaken.","date":"2008-01-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34979","proposer":"10173","edm":"814","session":"2007-08","title":"Greening The UK Campaign","text":"That this House calls upon the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to recognise the 50 per cent. drop in green space included in new developments in urban areas over the last 10 years, as identified by Horticulture Trades Association research, and the environmental consequences of this; and calls upon her to support the gardening industry campaign Greening the UK, which aims to reverse this trend by calling on local authorities to increase specification of green space in planning documents and to more aggressively enforce planting that has been specified on approved planning applications.","date":"2008-01-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34968","proposer":"10022","edm":"804","session":"2007-08","title":"Livestock Production And Greenhouse Gas Emissions","text":"That this House notes that a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations shows that livestock production is responsible for 18 per cent. of human-induced global greenhouse gas emissions which is a higher share than transport; further notes that the UK's consumption of meat and dairy products accounts for some 8 per cent. of UK consumption related greenhouse gases; further notes that the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the livestock sector are mainly in the form not of carbon dioxide but of methane and nitrous oxide; believes that the failure of the Climate Change Bill to set reduction targets for methane and nitrous oxide will make it difficult to address the emission of greenhouse gases by the livestock sector; and urges the Government to bring forward amendments to the Climate Change Bill to include reduction targets for methane and nitrous oxide.","date":"2008-01-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34954","proposer":"10006","edm":"789","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy And Climate Change","text":"That this House recognises the global imperative of tackling climate change; notes the importance of decarbonising the UK's energy production in order to meet this imperative; is concerned therefore by current plans to develop over 10GW of new coal power stations in Britain, which will result in 50 million extra tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK economy per annum; and asks the Secretary of State for Business, Employment and Regulatory Reform to call in the application to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, in order that full consideration is given to the implications of the proposed development for the UK's climate change and energy policies.","date":"2008-01-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34931","proposer":"11406","edm":"768","session":"2007-08","title":"Flood And Coastal Erosion Risk Management In The East Riding Of Yorkshire","text":"That this House notes that flood and coastal erosion risk management is an important issue facing the East Riding of Yorkshire and other coastal communities in England; further notes that there are large tracts of low-flying, high-quality farmland to the north of the River Humber; is alarmed at the prospect of this land being surrendered on cost of defence grounds; notes that the Netherlands has a positive policy to defend its land; and asks the Government urgently to review its policy of managed retreat.","date":"2008-01-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34869","proposer":"10597","edm":"712","session":"2007-08","title":"Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme","text":"That this House supports the Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme run in conjunction with Recycle Now throughout January 2008, which aims to reach a target of 100 million Christmas cards recycled; urges the public to help exceed last year's record of 93 million cards recycled and 22,000 trees planted, by taking their cards to special recycling bins placed in WH Smith, Tesco, TK Maxx, and Marks and Spencer stores; encourages people who do not traditionally recycle their cards to participate in the scheme; recognises that recycling is crucial in achieving a greener economy and society; and notes that funds raised by the scheme will help the Woodland Trust to plant 24,000 trees, and further contribute towards the Woodland Trust's Tree for All campaign in which 12 million trees will be planted across the UK by a million children.","date":"2008-01-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34784","proposer":"11312","edm":"631","session":"2007-08","title":"Nuclear Energy Trends","text":"That this House believes that the case for new nuclear power stations has not been made; reminds the UK Government of the risks and costs of nuclear power, in terms of waste disposal, decommissioning, security and health concerns; respects the majority view of hon. Members of the Scottish Parliament who oppose new nuclear power stations in Scotland; notes the publication of the Energy Trends report, by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which reveals that nuclear production in Scotland fell by a quarter in 2006, while electricity generation as a whole including renewables increased, underlining that nuclear is unreliable as well as unnecessary; recognises that Scotland has the natural resources to generate clean, green power; and welcomes the Scottish Government's efforts to harness Scotland's renewables potential to meet future energy demands while tackling climate change.","date":"2008-01-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34770","proposer":"11494","edm":"617","session":"2007-08","title":"National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (Nisp)","text":"That this House congratulates the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) on its achievements since its commencement in 2005 in enabling its 9,500 industry members to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 1.8 million tonnes, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tonnes, reduce industrial water use by over 2.5 million tonnes, together with a saving of over 5.4 million tonnes in the use of virgin raw material, delivering not only environmental savings but also generating additional industry sales of more than \u00c2\u00a399 million and a net fiscal impact of over \u00c2\u00a310.3 million; is aware that resource recovery and reuse requires substantially less carbon than the use of virgin materials; notes that NISP has gained European exemplar eco-innovation status and that NISP is now working with developing economies, including China and Mexico, to deliver real benefits in resource efficiency; and recognises that NISP is strongly positioned to support many of the recommendations in the recent CEMEP report on environmental markets and has the ability to deliver 5 per cent. of the UK's Kyoto Protocol commitment for carbon reduction by 2011.","date":"2007-12-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34778","proposer":"11607","edm":"625","session":"2007-08","title":"South Pennines","text":"That this House recognises that the South Pennines is a landscape of national importance for its wildlife, its industrial heritage and for the benefit it brings to the wellbeing of those living in it and within the three city regions that surround it; notes that it is a cross regional asset of immeasurable importance under continuous pressure; and acknowledges the essential role of Pennine Prospects in facilitating joint working across the two regions to protect, enhance and raise the profile of this vital, upland landscape.","date":"2007-12-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34744","proposer":"10790","edm":"593","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change (Sectoral Targets) Bill","text":"That this House notes that the Climate Change Bill does not incorporate targets for the contributions that various sectors and technologies should make to the achievement of the UK's emissions reductions; believes in the effectiveness of such sectoral targets in order to prevent each sector passing the responsibility for reducing emissions on to others; agrees with the conclusions in July 2007 of the Joint Committee on the Draft Climate Change Bill that if carbon targets are to have any credibility, they must be based on a detailed analysis of the scope and potential for carbon reductions in specific sectors; agrees also with Professor Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, who in his evidence to that Committee said, `each sector needs to know where it is expected to go to justify private investment funds going into these sectors'; and therefore supports the Climate Change (Sectoral Targets) Bill, sponsored by a cross-party group of hon. Members, which requires the Secretary of State both to set initial targets in line with existing Government policy for emissions reductions in the commercial, residential and public sectors as well as targets for renewable energy and combined heat and power and also to set further longer term targets in these and other sectors in order to help achieve the Government's overall targets for reducing carbon emissions and meeting the UK's energy needs.","date":"2007-12-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34752","proposer":"10619","edm":"601","session":"2007-08","title":"GREEN OLYMPICS AND THE EARTHWALKER'S CAMPAIGN","text":"That this House welcomes Paul Coleman's walk from Hong Kong to Beijing to help to encourage China to host an environmentally-friendly Olympics in Beijing in 2008; supports his effort to raise awareness of these issues; welcomes the support of the Chinese Forestry Ministry for his walk; encourages and supports China's effort to develop sustainability; wishes for a successful Beijing Olympics; urges all concerned with the 2012 London Olympic games to ensure that they will be truly sustainable; and acknowledges that a green London Olympics will advance British environmental industries and technologies that will ultimately benefit the global environment.","date":"2007-12-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34755","proposer":"10606","edm":"604","session":"2007-08","title":"Planning Bill And Climate Change","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's stated intention to integrate planning policy with the crucial commitment to address climate change; notes that the Planning Bill imposes a duty on local authorities to produce policy that contributes to the mitigation of climate change; strongly believes that this duty should be strengthened and imposed on Ministers when drawing up National Policy Statements (NPSs) and on the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC); further considers that the Committee on Climate Change should be a statutory consultee in NPSs and Major Infrastructure Projects processes; and urges that mechanisms are put in place to monitor and report on the discharge of this duty.","date":"2007-12-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34700","proposer":"10001","edm":"557","session":"2007-08","title":"Penguins At Risk","text":"That this House is concerned at the plight of penguins living in the Antarctic Peninsula; notes that melting ice due to the effects of climate change is devastating the nesting site for penguins; recognises that over-fishing is leading to a lack of food available for penguins; further notes that four species of penguin - the emperor, the gentoo, the chinstrap and the Adelie - are among the most at risk creatures in the area; supports the World Wildlife Fund report which states that some of the emperor penguins' colonies have reduced by half in the past century due to warmer temperatures; and calls on the Government to push for comprehensive and fair emissions cuts at the Bali summit.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34713","proposer":"11458","edm":"570","session":"2007-08","title":"Sustrans Connect2, Winner Of The People's \u00a350 Million","text":"That this House congratulates Sustrans on winning the public vote as the most popular project in the ITV competition to receive \u00a350 million from the Big Lottery Fund; notes that this money will create new cycling and walking routes in 79 communities across the country, including new routes in Bristol where Sustrans began its work 30 years ago; and believes that further investment in the most sustainable forms of transport will be of great environmental and health benefit.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34691","proposer":"10045","edm":"550","session":"2007-08","title":"Out Of Town Shopping Centres","text":"That this House is concerned by proposals from the Competition Commission in its Provisional Findings report to weaken planning policy and planning policy statements in relation to town centres to allow for more supermarkets to be built on the edge of towns and in out of town locations; notes that the majority of supermarkets are already being built in out of town centres; notes that many independent smaller shops are closing each year and reducing people's choice of where to shop; believes that a weakening of policy in this way would allow all types of retail to locate out of town leading to an increase in car-based shopping and related climate change emissions; further believes that there will be a disproportionate effect on households without cars if more local shops are lost; and calls on the Government to retain key existing tests such as need, accessibility and scale and to strengthen, rather than weaken, planning policy for town centres by also introducing a presumption against out of town retail development and new tests for diversity, local economic impact and carbon emissions.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34639","proposer":"10170","edm":"506","session":"2007-08","title":"Rail Freight And The Environment","text":"That this House notes the environmental benefits of rail freight over other transport modes; recognises that an average aggregate freight train can remove up to 120 HGV lorries from the road network; supports Government steps to encourage modal shift from road to rail; and is therefore opposed to the introduction of longer and heavier goods vehicles onto the UK road network that could weigh up to 60 tonnes and be as long as 25.25 metres.","date":"2007-12-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34646","proposer":"11923","edm":"513","session":"2007-08","title":"Sustrans Connect2 Scheme","text":"That this House congratulates Cumbria County Council for participating in the Sustrans Connect2 Scheme which will build new walking and cycling routes in 79 communities throughout the United Kingdom, including Carlisle, Maryport and Coniston in Cumbria; and welcomes these plans which will help the United Kingdom move further towards a zero-carbon economy as soon as possible.","date":"2007-12-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34573","proposer":"11784","edm":"444","session":"2007-08","title":"Personal Transporters","text":"That this House notes the commitment made to a low carbon future by the Government and the provisions contained in the Climate Change Bill to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050; observes that much of these emissions are from vehicles, and that 80 per cent. of all urban journeys in vehicles are less than two miles; recognises that in several other European countries and US states, Segway PTs, a low carbon emission personal transporter, powered by electricity, have proved a beneficial addition to the transport mix, reducing the number of short journeys made in cars, and providing a number of uses, including for police and emergency services; further notes that more than 400 police departments make use of this technology worldwide; further notes their potential use as personal transportation for elderly or less able-bodied people; supports the request from the Police Federation for a trial of Segway PTs; and calls on the Government to make provision for a pilot scheme on public land to demonstrate the most appropriate way to integrate the Segway PT into UK transport infrastructure.","date":"2007-11-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34561","proposer":"11489","edm":"440","session":"2007-08","title":"Locally Produced Food","text":"That this House pays tribute to the range of excellent locally-produced food available across the United Kingdom; acknowledges that transporting food over long distances is bad for the environment; salutes the work of farmers' markets and food festivals in promoting the regional variety and freshness of food; congratulates Trethowan's Dairy in Llanddewi Brefi and Teifi Farmhouse Cheese in Llandysul on using traditional methods to produce their award-winning cheese; encourages supermarkets, schools and the public sector more generally to source much more of their food locally; and calls upon the Government to provide extra funding to regional development agencies, tourist boards and other local bodies to support the production and sale of food locally.","date":"2007-11-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34509","proposer":"11845","edm":"388","session":"2007-08","title":"Black Country As An Urban Park","text":"That this House congratulates the Black Country Consortium in securing one of the four places on the final shortlist for The Black Country as an Urban Park project as part of the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks Programme; acknowledges and recognises that this ambitious project will regenerate the Black Country over the next 30 years, will enrich the lives of those that live, work and play in the region, will open more green space and bolster the local economy and that, if successful, \u00c2\u00a350 million will transform the lives of one million people by investing money into Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve, local canal networks, creating Green Bridge Park, one of the largest urban spaces in the region, and will open up 3,700 acres of green space; further notes that, in addition this will involve the local community, benefiting 300,000 children, 3,000 local groups, 60,000 volunteer opportunities and 500 local projects; appreciates the work put into the application; and wishes the Black Country as an Urban Park every success.","date":"2007-11-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34479","proposer":"10527","edm":"359","session":"2007-08","title":"Protection Of Reefs In Lyme Bay","text":"That this House welcomes the current Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs public consultation on measures to protect the marine biodiversity of reefs in Lyme Bay; recognises that these habitats are of national, if not international, conservation importance and can support a range of sustainable economic activities, including potting, sports diving and sea angling, providing a significant return to local businesses; further recognises that the needs of wildlife and of these local businesses are threatened by scallop dredging which slowly destroys the habitats on which they all depend, for less than half the return from the same area; believes that the protection of the Lyme Bay reefs is urgently required on environmental and economic grounds; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce statutory protection for the entire 60 square miles of the Lyme Bay reefs, which constitutes less than 10 per cent. of the whole of Lyme Bay.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34470","proposer":"11783","edm":"350","session":"2007-08","title":"Heathrow Expansion","text":"That this House notes with concern that the Government has put forward proposals which could increase the number of annual flights at Heathrow from 473,000 in 2006 to 800,000; is alarmed that this will undermine attempts to tackle climate change; believes that the economic case for expansion at Heathrow has not been made; is concerned that ending runway alternation at Heathrow would end the half day of respite from aviation noise currently enjoyed by West London residents; believes that current measures to regulate noise levels around the airport are inadequate; notes that the ANASE study commissioned by the Department for Transport found that the `onset of community annoyance' occurs well below the existing threshold of an average 57 decibels; welcomes the formation by 12 local authorities of the 2M Group, representing the interests of the two million people, whose quality of life is affected by Heathrow; regrets BAA's heavy-handed attempts to prevent protests over the summer; notes that the history of assurances given to residents by both Government and BAA does not inspire confidence that the views of local people will be taken seriously; and therefore opposes any plans to reduce or end runway alternation or to build a third runway and 6th terminal at Heathrow.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34434","proposer":"10713","edm":"316","session":"2007-08","title":"Carbon Emissions And The Travel Buying Industry","text":"That this House welcomes the ICARUS environmental accreditation scheme to achieve absolute reductions in carbon dioxide emissions throughout the travel buying industry; acknowledges its ambitious targets to reduce the carbon output of the travel buying sector by at least 60 per cent. by 2050, in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Bill; recognises the importance of the cut, reduce, offset framework to prioritise cutting unnecessary travel, reducing emissions by switching to greener travel alternatives and only offsetting carbon emissions as a last resort; and congratulates the responsible leadership of the Institute of Travel Management in helping to reduce the carbon emissions of the UK's travel buying sector.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34442","proposer":"10518","edm":"324","session":"2007-08","title":"Ysgol Bodnant Juniors Eco Club","text":"That this House congratulates Ysgol Bodnant Juniors Eco Club, in Prestatyn, and its members Daniel Cooper, Natasha Austerberry, Cassie Richardson, Dominic Cash, Nia Davies, Millie Higgs, Ben Worthing, Rebecca Williams and Matthew Roberts, and their teacher Caroline May, for their success in winning the School of the Year category in the Trinity Mirror Newspapers and ScottishPower Your Champions' award for their dedication to environmentally-friendly projects both in and outside of school; and also praises Trinity Mirror Newspapers and ScottishPower for running the awards and highlighting the excellent work that goes on in North Wales communities.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34443","proposer":"10597","edm":"325","session":"2007-08","title":"SHERWOOD'S LIVING LEGEND LOTTERY BID","text":"That this House welcomes the Big Lottery's The People's \u00c2\u00a350 million contest; encourages viewers to vote following the screening of the four selected bids to be shown on ITV during the week beginning 3rd December 2007; recognises the strength of the Sherwood: The Living Legend bid in enhancing the environment and lifting the quality of landscape surrounding this internationally renowned woodland; notes the forest's contribution to tackling climate change; values the creation of new paths and cycle ways across a wide area in the Midlands and north of England; is concerned that two of the other selected bids have already received millions of pounds of Lottery funding; continues to press the case for a fair distribution of Lottery funding; and wishes Sherwood, the strongest and most sustainable bid, every success.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34451","proposer":"11923","edm":"333","session":"2007-08","title":"Restrictions In Nitrate Vulnerable Zones","text":"That this House notes the implementation of restrictions in nitrate vulnerable zones and expresses concern that they will lead to hardship for farmers in those zones because of the requirements for farms to have six months' storage capacity for slurry, a reduction in stock numbers and to observe a ban on spreading slurry during winter months; and calls upon the Government to take into account the additional costs and reduced income for farms that these restrictions will entail and to act to ensure that this does not become another financial blow to the farming industry.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34403","proposer":"10713","edm":"292","session":"2007-08","title":"Fly-Tipping","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the Countryside Alliance's report on fly-tipping, Time for Action; notes that there were 2.5 million incidents of fly-tipping last year at a cost of \u00c2\u00a3150 million to taxpayers; further notes that this equates to a new incident every 12 seconds at a cost of \u00c2\u00a372 a minute; urges the Government to consider carefully the report's recommendations to improve access to civic amenity sites, provide better advice for households, landowners and the travelling community and to review business and trade practices, current legislation and enforcement practices to seek to reduce the number of fly-tipping incidents and the financial burden to taxpayers; and calls upon the Government to work with groups such as the Countryside Alliance and other stakeholder members of the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group to step up the campaign against fly-tipping.","date":"2007-11-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34413","proposer":"10683","edm":"302","session":"2007-08","title":"Big Lottery Fund And The Black Country","text":"That this House congratulates all the projects that have reached the short list of the BIG Lottery Fund's The People's \u00c2\u00a350 million contest; recognises that the BIG Lottery vote provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to make a real difference to their communities and the environment in which they live; in the light of this, calls upon hon. Members and the public to support The Black Country as an Urban Park project, where the targeted application of this money will provide a focus for transformation and participation for the one million people who live in the Black Country, an area at the heart of the nation's industrial heritage, including not only sites of global geological importance but also some of the poorest and most environmentally degraded in the country; and hopes that the BIG Lottery Fund can be used to support the area, which has not previously received Lottery funding on any scale like this and which would harness the ambition and active involvement of the people and communities who live there to create a superb natural and urban environment for the whole country to enjoy.","date":"2007-11-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34346","proposer":"10333","edm":"239","session":"2007-08","title":"WORLD'S ONLY LISTED PIGEON CREE (RYHOPE)","text":"That this House supports the campaign by the Ryhope Allotment Holders to maintain and protect their environment which includes the world's only listed pigeon cree; calls upon the owners of Worktalent Ltd to withdraw their notice to terminate the lease; and believes that these historic allotments should be held in trust by the community and provide facilities for local children to enjoy and understand horticulture and the care of pigeons.","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34352","proposer":"10100","edm":"245","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change And Concessionary Travel Schemes For Young People","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's concessionary travel scheme for the over 60s and disabled passengers; notes the potential of the scheme to increase the use of public transport, improve accessibility and reduce social exclusion; further welcomes the campaign launched by the Chair of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority for a similar scheme for young people; believes that the scheme should initially provide for a maximum 50p fare and ultimately be extended to offer free travel; further believes that such a scheme would deliver significant long-term benefits in respect of road safety and social mobility together with reduced traffic congestion and carbon dioxide emissions; and calls on the Government to develop such a national scheme of concessionary travel for under 21s participating in approved education and training programmes, in the context of its future programme of action on climate change.","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34372","proposer":"10436","edm":"265","session":"2007-08","title":"Green Credit For Green Growth","text":"That this House is concerned that the costs of dealing with the recent floods is only a foretaste of the much larger sums that will be necessary to cope with climate change and to deal with extreme weather conditions; believes that instead of raising the money by taxing or borrowing, the Government should now increase the proportion of publicly-created money in the economy by issuing interest-free green credit to finance both these problems; notes that the proportion of the publicly-created money in circulation has fallen from 20 per cent. of the money supply in 1964 to three per cent. today; further notes that the benefits of seignorage are overwhelmingly taken by the banks not the public exchequer, if this decline were reversed the use of publicly-created money would substantially cut the cost of public investment by eliminating the need to pay interest; considers that such a policy of using publicly-created money to finance carbon neutral measures and conversions could be adopted to create additional economic growth; and recommends that the Treasury should use its powers to create non-interest bearing money so as to fund activities to combat climate change along the lines developed by the submission of the Forum for Stable Currencies' response to the United Nations Development Programme's call for new approaches towards adaptation to climate change.","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34380","proposer":"10444","edm":"273","session":"2007-08","title":"Carbon Reporting","text":"That this House recognises that climate change is one of the most critical issues that businesses face today; believes that a common reporting standard on carbon emissions would allow meaningful and consistent comparison by investors and consumers; notes the Aldersgate Group's Carbon Costs report which stated that, despite improvements in the number of companies disclosing information on greenhouse gases, current reporting levels are still too low and what is disclosed is not comparable because of the use of different calculation methods; believes that the lack of transparency obscures the true contribution of corporate UK and undermines the comparative advantage that should accrue to companies with good carbon reporting and control; and urges the Government to introduce enabling powers in the Climate Change Bill for mandatory carbon reporting standards for all companies listed on the UK stock markets which will allow consumers and investors to make low carbon choices and comparisons.","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34290","proposer":"11971","edm":"188","session":"2007-08","title":"Packaging Waste","text":"That this House notes with concern the excessive levels of packaging used by manufacturers and retailers, accounting for around five million tonnes of household waste and costing families an average of \u00c2\u00a3470 per year; commends the numerous campaigns against excessive packaging including those run by the Women's Institute and The Independent newspaper; urges supermarkets and manufacturers to reduce excess packaging, recycle packaging waste and encourage the re-use of plastic carrier bags; and calls on the Government to take stronger action to curb excess packaging.","date":"2007-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34297","proposer":"10096","edm":"195","session":"2007-08","title":"Local Planning Authorities: Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy","text":"That this House believes that climate change is a major threat facing the planet; notes that a very significant percentage of carbon dioxide emissions comes from buildings; believes that new initiatives are needed to reduce these emissions and that an important way to achieve this is through the planning system; therefore, notes with concern, that a number of local authorities have been prevented from specifying high energy efficiency standards in their local development plans, thereby undermining their efforts to set high sustainability standards; further notes that the latest draft of the Government's Climate Change Planning Policy Statement undermines the Merton Rule, which enables local planning authorities to use their development plans to require all new developments to include measures to generate at least 10 per cent. of their energy through on-site renewable energy technologies and which is being followed by 140 councils by requiring councils to avoid authority-wide blanket requirements for on-site renewable energy, thus preventing them from applying the Rule to all new developments; further notes that the Minister for Energy has expressed support both for the Merton Rule as currently practised and for councils being able to set higher energy efficiency standards; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward proposals in the 2007-08 parliamentary session to give councils a statutory right to use their development plan framework to set energy efficiency standards.","date":"2007-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34265","proposer":"10018","edm":"169","session":"2007-08","title":"Greater Use Of Waterways For Freight","text":"That this House congratulates Tesco's for switching from lorry to water the transport of its new world wine over the 32 miles from Liverpool to its bottling plant in Irlam saving 50 lorry trips a week and cutting carbon emissions by 80 per cent.; notes Sainsbury's has recently conducted similar trials in London; believes the Department for Transport should create a dedicated unit to encourage greater use of our inland and coastal waterways as recommended by the recent Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report on British Waterways recommending fiscal incentives to stimulate greater waterways use; and believes much can be learnt from other countries in Europe on using British waterways to reduce noise, pollution and traffic congestion.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34270","proposer":"10616","edm":"174","session":"2007-08","title":"AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH FILM AND MR JUSTICE BURTON'S RULING","text":"That this House recognises the need to find innovative, compelling and balanced ways to engage everyone on the issue of climate change; welcomes Mr Justice Burton's overall ruling that the film An Inconvenient Truth can be shown in schools provided there is appropriate contextual guidance given by teachers; notes prominent scientists' comments that the judge was a little harsh on the film in places; and believes it is not alarmist to warn of major sea level rises, since Professor James Hansen, top US climate modeller, argues that such sea level rises should be expected this century if emissions are not curbed appropriately and that Arctic sea ice ranges are shrinking much faster than was predicted.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34271","proposer":"10713","edm":"175","session":"2007-08","title":"Public Sector Carbon Emissions","text":"That this House notes that the public sector is responsible for five per cent. of total UK carbon emissions and is a significant player in the commercial tenancy market; welcomes the Government's targets for carbon and energy efficiency performance on their own estate as set out in the 2004 Energy Efficiency Action Plan and restated in the 2005 Common Minimum Standards for public sector building procurement; welcomes in particular their commitment to procure only buildings in the top quartile of energy performance, believing that this will have a marked effect on the wider commercial property market; notes with concern that, according to a new report from the National Audit Office, most Government departments and agencies are failing to meet these targets, which will in turn render unachievable the new carbon and energy efficiency targets laid down in March 2007 Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate; further notes with concern that 14 Government departments are less energy efficient than they were in 2000 and that sustainable public buildings can save at least \u00c2\u00a320 million a year through energy and water efficiency; and therefore calls for a renewed commitment by the Government that the energy standards of the buildings they purchase, lease or procure will be in the top quartile of energy performance in order to meet their energy and carbon targets and to transform the wider commercial property market.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34210","proposer":"11592","edm":"120","session":"2007-08","title":"Sunderland City And The Environment","text":"That this House congratulates Sunderland on being named as the fifth greenest city in Britain in the Forum for the Future's sustainable cities index, which measures how much of the world's resources each person uses in energy, food, land, housing and goods; further congratulates the people of the city for having the lowest eco-footprint of all North East cities and on coming eighth out of 60 British cities, according to a World Wildlife Fund for Nature report; welcomes Sunderland City Council's commitment to further reducing its ecological footprint in line with its commitment to sustainability and the environment; warmly endorses the city's aim to be the most liveable city in the UK by helping residents live greener lifestyles; and believes that these results show Sunderland's laudable commitment to combating climate change.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34227","proposer":"10415","edm":"137","session":"2007-08","title":"Abta And Reduce My Footprint Campaign","text":"That this House supports the Reduce My Footprint Campaign created by ABTA to allow consumers to monitor their carbon footprint; notes that the campaign will allow consumers to mitigate the effects of their travel on climate change; further notes that Reduce My Footprint will help consumers to reduce their carbon footprint; recognises the positive steps the travel industry is taking to address the issue of climate change; and welcomes the positive action of businesses and consumers to reduce their carbon footprints.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34235","proposer":"10526","edm":"145","session":"2007-08","title":"Environmental Coalition For A Marine Bill","text":"That this House welcomes the inclusion of a draft Marine Bill in the legislative programme; applauds the work of the Marine Conservation Society, the RSPB, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, The Wildlife Trusts and WWF who came together through the Wildlife and Countryside Link coalition to press for a Marine Bill for the 2007-08 legislative programme; notes their disappointment at the omission of a full Bill; notes the continued cross-party political support for a Marine Bill; welcomes the widespread public support for the Bill gathered by these organisations over the summer; believes that with the utmost urgency the United Kingdom needs a new approach to managing and protecting its marine resources, wildlife and cultural heritage; further believes that the Marine Bill must be based on a statutory system of spatial planning to reduce conflict between the many users of these seas as well as reform of inshore fisheries; further believes that, given the extraordinary richness of wildlife in UK seas, the Bill must put protection of wildlife at the heart of marine policy through measures including the designation of a network of marine conservation zones; and calls on the Government to introduce a Marine Bill at the earliest opportunity during the current Parliament.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34236","proposer":"11923","edm":"146","session":"2007-08","title":"Packaging And The Food And Drink Federation","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement by the Food and Drink Federation that it aims to reduce food packaging by 340,000 tonnes by 2010 and adopt other targets including cutting carbon emissions, reducing water wastage and food miles; urges further such cuts if the challenge of climate change is to be addressed; and congratulates the Cut Waste in Kendal campaign that is seeking to reduce packaging in South Lakeland and is working with local traders to discuss making Kendal a plastic bag-free town.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34238","proposer":"10470","edm":"148","session":"2007-08","title":"Food Miles","text":"That this House notes with concern that carbon dioxide emissions from food transport for UK consumption increased by five per cent. last year; further notes that imports by air increased by 31 per cent. in 2006, equivalent to 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide; believes that the British farming industry and British consumers can play a key role in reducing food miles; calls on the Government to facilitate this by introducing country of origin food labelling; and urges public bodies to do everything they can within EU rules to source food for schools, hospitals and other public institutions locally.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34241","proposer":"11923","edm":"151","session":"2007-08","title":"Biofuels","text":"That this House recognises the need for standards to be set regarding the manufacture of biofuels to restrict levels of deforestation and destruction of valuable wildlife habitats; further recognises that the objective of the use of biofuels is to reduce overall greenhouse emissions, a process which would be hampered by the significant destruction of rainforests; notes that the setting of standards would boost British farmers who wish to grow crops for the purpose of manufacturing biofuels; and urges the Government to begin setting standards for the manufacture of biofuels.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34249","proposer":"10177","edm":"82A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Genetically Modified Organisms And Cross-Contamination","text":"leave out from `reconsider' to end and add `outline its clear intention to hold to its stated commitment to further consultation on the environmental liability directive.'.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34107","proposer":"10470","edm":"17","session":"2007-08","title":"Bioenergy","text":"That this House recognises the important role bioenergy can play in tackling climate change while encouraging energy security and increasing opportunities for farmers and rural communities; regrets that bioenergy represents only 1.5 per cent. of the total UK energy supply; is nevertheless alarmed by the environmental threat posed by the production for bioenergy of palm oil, sugar cane and soya in South East Asia and South America, the expansion of which is leading to a destruction of tropical forests and other highly prized ecosystems, such as the Cerrado in Brazil; calls on the Government to introduce as a matter of urgency a carbon and sustainability assurance scheme that reflects the impact of bioenergy throughout its life-cycle; urges the European Union to follow suit in developing Europe-wide assurance schemes; and calls on the Government to encourage a sustainable bioenergy sector through an ethical Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34111","proposer":"11318","edm":"21","session":"2007-08","title":"Marine Environment","text":"That this House notes that the marine environment surrounding the United Kingdom supports around 44,000 species; further notes the importance of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas; is concerned about the ever-increasing pressure on the marine environment from coastal and offshore activities; believes that continued degradation threatens the long-term survival of internationally valuable habitats, wildlife and maritime archaeology; believes that such degradation of the marine environment is detrimental to the economic activities dependent on marine resources; notes that the United Kingdom does not have a strategic and co-ordinated approach for managing marine resources and for protecting the biological and cultural heritage; and calls upon the Government to introduce a system of integrated marine management, marine spatial plans and marine protected areas by enacting a Marine Bill in this Session.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34157","proposer":"10258","edm":"67","session":"2007-08","title":"Water Freight","text":"That this House notes that moving freight by water is several times more environmentally sustainable than doing so by road and takes lorries off the congested road network; further notes that water freight makes a major contribution to the UK's economy and employs more than 200,000 people; welcomes the role played by sea and water in promoting water freight; calls on major retailers and others to do more to make their supply chains more green by making use of inland waterways and short sea shipping; and urges the Government to continue to support the water freight industry with policies to develop and maintain the inland waterway network and by ensuring that planning policies in particular encourage rather than hinder access to the waterways.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34166","proposer":"10713","edm":"76","session":"2007-08","title":"Un Conference On Climate Change At Bali","text":"That this House urges the Government to go further and faster in seeking international agreements and strategies to stop the continued increase in world carbon dioxide emissions; believes that 550 parts per million carbon dioxide concentration in air would be an unacceptably dangerous level; and urges the Government to seek an agreement at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Bali in December on a clear road-map towards a post-Kyoto deal, which can then be secured at the Copenhagen Conference in 2009.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34171","proposer":"10006","edm":"81","session":"2007-08","title":"Measurement Of Carbon Emissions","text":"That this House recognises the importance of conserving the world's natural resources and of countering climate change; notes the urgent need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity; congratulates businesses that have begun to measure to reduce the carbon emissions resulting from their operations, supply chains, products and services; further notes the difficulties in defining the parameters for such measurement and in agreeing methodologies; believes that such measurements would enable both informed comparison and customer choice; emphasises the need for national and international consensus on such measurement and methodologies; and calls upon the Royal Society to take forward the process for establishing a mechanism for achieving such a consensus.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34172","proposer":"10006","edm":"82","session":"2007-08","title":"Genetically Modified Organisms And Cross-Contamination","text":"That this House notes that the science of genetically modified organisms is still being debated and the commercial and environmental dangers posed by the risk of cross-contamination are a matter of serious public concern; and calls on the Government to reconsider its implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive which is intended to protect biodiversity, land and water from environmental harm.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34173","proposer":"10006","edm":"83","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change And Biodiversity","text":"That this House notes with concern the negative impact climate change will have on biodiversity and the challenges wildlife will face migrating through increasingly damaged and fragmented landscapes; acknowledges that a landscape scale approach is required to help the environment to better adapt to change, provide ecological services such as flood prevention and pollution reduction and accommodate wildlife movement; and therefore calls on the Government to facilitate this through promotion of a holistic approach incorporating a range of bodies at local, regional and central Government level as well as private organisations and individuals.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34174","proposer":"10006","edm":"84","session":"2007-08","title":"Illegal Logging","text":"That this House notes the problem of illegal logging, which is valued at 10 to 15 billion euros per year and costs producer countries billions in lost revenue, causes huge losses of biodiversity and widespread environmental damage; notes that research by WWF has estimated that the EU is responsible for at least three billion euros of this, with the UK being one of the largest importers of illegal timber within the EU; further notes that the problem of illegal imports entering the EU via third countries such as China is not prevented by the current EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Action Plan; and calls on the Government to support moves to introduce legislation making it an offence to import illegal timber into the EU.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34179","proposer":"10389","edm":"89","session":"2007-08","title":"Biodiversity","text":"That this House welcomes the EU commitment to halt biodiversity loss by 2010, but notes with concern that the European Commissioner for the Environment believes the UK is still far from meeting this target; recognises the inextricable link between biodiversity and the health of the planet, and therefore the concern that climate change may alter distribution, abundance, behaviour, phenology and morphology to an extent which threatens species with previously healthy population levels; and urges the Government to recognise the importance of action to mitigate the threats to plant and animal life.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34181","proposer":"11318","edm":"91","session":"2007-08","title":"Marine Bill And UK Government Policy","text":"That this House notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs identified protecting the marine environment as one of its main objectives in 2001 in Working For The Essentials of Life; further notes that in Delivering The Essentials Of Life: Defra's Five Year Strategy in 2004 the Government promised to deliver a Marine Bill; is disappointed that the Government failed to deliver the draft Marine Bill promised in the 2005 Queen's Speech; is further disappointed that the promise made by the former marine environment minister, the hon. Member for Exeter, that there would be a Marine Bill in this Session (Environmental Audit Committee Eight Report of Session 2005-06) is likely to be broken; urges the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to take a greater leadership role in co-ordinating the devolved administrations and Government departments in the production of the Marine Bill; recognises the strong support in Parliament and among the general public for a Marine Bill; and calls upon the Government to introduce a Marine Bill in the present Session and to ensure that the provisions of the Bill are brought into force.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34182","proposer":"10173","edm":"92","session":"2007-08","title":"British Airways Greener Aircraft","text":"That this House welcomes the recent announcement by British Airways to purchase new greener aircraft, the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787, as part of its fleet replacement programme; recognises that these aircraft offer many benefits as they are quieter, more fuel efficient, have significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduced impact on local air quality; and further notes the Rolls Royce Trent 900 and 1000 engines used by both aircraft and that other major components of the Airbus A380, including the wings, are manufactured in the UK helping to safeguard valuable British manufacturing jobs.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34186","proposer":"10006","edm":"96","session":"2007-08","title":"Marine Bill (No. 2)","text":"That this House calls on the Government to introduce a Marine Bill in this Parliamentary session.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34188","proposer":"10006","edm":"98","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change","text":"That this House believes that man-made climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our world today requiring co-ordinated domestic and international action; notes with concern that the UK's ability to lead on this issue is compromised by the fact that domestic emissions of greenhouse gases have recently been rising; calls on the Government to introduce a strong Climate Change Bill which will put into place long-term targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish an independent body to monitor progress towards meeting those targets; further recognises there may be a case for allowing the independent body to set targets and require the Government to report annually on progress; welcomes the Government's response to the consultation on the draft Climate Change Bill which announced that the Independent Committee on Climate Change will re-examine whether the 60 per cent. target for emissions reduction is sufficient and whether aviation and shipping should be included; but notes with alarm that the committee will not report on these until late 2009, while 15 years worth of carbon budgets are to be set in 2008.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Environmental protection","id":"34194","proposer":"10790","edm":"104","session":"2007-08","title":"Unep Fourth Global Environment Outlook Report","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the UN Environment Programme 4th Global Environment Outlook report; notes that the report provides alarming evidence of the further degradation of the planet's sustainability, that this degradation threatens the lives and living standards of hundreds of millions of people, that the report is yet another step in a long process which has failed to produce an international framework designed to deal with climate change faster than the problem is being created, and that the Government has often referred to its study of such frameworks, without conclusion; and now calls on the Government to end this indeterminate process and publish, for public debate, its preferred option for a future framework to deal with climate change.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"}]