Every aspect of climate change must be addressed

RECENTLY, the UK Government and Kent CountyCouncil [KCC] both declared that we are in a Climate Emergency and set a target of 2050 toachieve zero carbon emissions.Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council [TMBC] went further by declaring a target of 2030.
At first sight, these declarations and targets seem like wonderful news for environmentalists, but without action to back the fine words and aspirations, they are quite meaningless.
Inconsistency
Many countries are missing the targets set after the 2015 Paris Climate Talks. The UK seems to be doing better than other nations at cutting emissions, but the figures disguise the real facts.
The apparent reduction in emissions is based on the CO2 from the manufacture of goods in a country, rather than from the quantity of goods and services consumed in that country.
This obviously favours the high-consuming industrialised nations in Europe over developing nations, where most manufacturing now takes place.
If emissions figures were based on consumption, the UK and other Western countries would be exposed for polluting the world with our throw-away culture, frequent flying, and taste for meat, dairy and foods flown in from abroad.
Greg Clark, MP, recently wrote in his column in the Times of Tunbridge Wells and Times of Tonbridge that he is proud that the UK is becoming a ‘global leader’ in working towards zero carbon emissions, but in my opinion we should not feel complacent and superior.
It is difficult to reconcile his statement with the fact that the latest annual report from UK Export Finance (a government agency which provides financial support for international trade) showed over £2 billion was given to support fossil fuel industries abroad, an eleven-fold increase compared with the previous year.
It is inconsistent to declare a UK climate emergency but increase VAT on solar energy to 20 per cent while keeping VAT on domestic coal (the dirtiest of fossil fuels) at five per cent.
It is inconsistent to consider opening a new opencast coal mine in Druridge Bay, Northumberland, but ban land-based wind farms, which produce the cheapest form of electricity.
It is inconsistent to support fracking, which is just another way of obtaining climate-wrecking fossil fuels.
And it is inconsistent to encourage flying by opening a third runway at Heathrow, but allow train
fares to spiral out of control.
Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat has said it is up to individuals to change their behaviour in
order to limit their impact on the environment.

This may be true up to a point, but both national and local government must also play their part in enabling citizens to protect the environment.
Our councils could support citizens in making greener choices.
For example, a water fountain in Tonbridge Park would reduce consumption of bottled water.
Cutting the price of the Freedom Pass for children, rather than increasing it from £290 to £350, would encourage bus usage by young people.
TMBC’s Local Plan could insist that new homes are energy-efficient and have solar panels, and that a network of public electric vehicle charging points is created.
We could prioritise safe walking, cycling and good, cheap public transport because reduced car use helps cut emissions and improves air quality and health.
It is a good start to admit the existence of the Climate Emergency, but we must also ensure that all levels of government actually do something about it.