David Cameron should use the Conservative Party’s positive record on tackling climate change and promoting clean energy to press for more action on these issues at the G7 Summit in Germany, which started on Sunday, June 7 2015, said Lord Howard of Lympne.
Michael Howard said: “The General Election was a personal triumph for the Prime Minister. In winning it, he pledged his commitment to securing a strong new global climate agreement later this year, and this weekend the G7 summit provides an ideal opportunity to advance his case.
“Bringing in policies to tackle climate change and promote clean energy, as the Conservatives have done, is good for growth, good for jobs, and good for the environment, which is a powerful message that the Prime Minister can take to the G7.”
Dr Camilla Toulmin, Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), said that other countries would be looking to the G7 for leadership.
Dr Toulmin said: “A constant feature of David Cameron’s premiership has been as a champion of international development, including unwavering support for Britain’s overseas aid contribution.
“By common consent, securing a healthy and prosperous future for all the world’s people – rich and poor – depends on finding an effective response to climate change.
“The G7 Summit is an ideal opportunity for Mr Cameron to show that he is as serious and consistent in his commitment to tackling global poverty and climate change as he has been on the delivery of UKAid.”
Lord Howard and Dr Toulmin are members of the Advisory Board of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, a UK-based non-profit initiative supporting informed debate on energy and climate change.
