Lords debate the government's green agenda

Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) opened the debate on the government's green agenda: 'It seemed to me that 20 months into this government it would be helpful to have a look at the government's green agenda and green policies and how they measure up to the government's own commitment to be, as David Cameron announced on 14 May, "the greenest government ever".'

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Baroness Smith of Basildon spoke of her disappointment that the government abolished the Sustainable Development Commission and highlighted the disappointment from various organisations and their members, investors and the public. Despite the highlighted criticisms Baroness Smith of Basildon wished to find  ways of addressing the criticisms and supporting the Government in meeting their pledge.

Lord Dixon-Smith (Conservative) reminded the Lords that this is an 'international problem' and 'that the two biggest carbon dioxide emissions countries in the world, the United States and China, are also the two biggest countries investing in green technologies... If you supply a house with nothing but emission-free energy, then by definition, Green Deal or no Green Deal, that house is zero-emission. The same applies to every business and, if we can do it, to transport; the technologies exist. We need to take a careful look at the long term, and use that to apply our policies today.'

Lord Teverson (Liberal Democrat), Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Energy and Climate Change, highlighted the Green Deal emphasis around energy saving and how this needs further consideration as a cost-effective ways of producing a decarbonised and less energy-intensive economy.

Lord Prescott (Labour), former Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, spoke about the importance of letting the public know how they can help, how it can save them money and improve their quality of life.

Other speakers included:

Lord Marland (Conservative) responded on behalf of the government.

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