Back to Fiona's work on the environment

Climate Change

Fiona and Sir Alan Beith MP demonstrate the possible consequences climate change may have on Britain

Tackling climate change is one of Fiona's top priorities in the North East and the European Parliament. At the EU level she has been involved in negotiations over the new climate legislation ensuring legally binding targets by 2020 of a 20% reduction of CO2 emissions (compared to 1995) - rising to 30% in the event of a global agreement-, a 20% contingent of renewable energy in the energy mix and a 20% improvement of energy efficiency.

Fiona has warmly welcomed the news that all major North East councils have signed up to a new EU environmental scheme, named the Covenant of Mayors, on which she reported to the European Parliament in her EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan report (January 2008). The scheme allows environmentally active and advanced cities and councils in the EU to share best practices and ideas to reduce their urban carbon footprints and to secure a sustainable energy future for their residents and businesses. An important feature of the scheme is that it requires local communities and civil society to become involved, such as the grassroots movement Climate Durham, which Fiona actively supports.

Fiona recently conducted a Climate Change survey in North East England to find out more about her constituents priorities in tackling climate change.

• Major Climate Change Survey Launched

• North East Ready to Tackle Climate Change

• Climate Durham

• Environmental Awareness Course

• Carbon Offsetting