Julian shares this latest news on behalf of Island Labour. Ed
At the Island Labour AGM on 23rd June, a packed meeting approved the following motion, which will be debated at the Labour Conference in September.
Jeremy Corbyn has already noted in Prime Minister’s Questions that the Conservative government is set to miss its own climate targets by more than 50 years.
Mr Corbyn said,
“The climate emergency cannot be left to the market. Labour takes the climate crisis seriously, we got parliament to declare a climate emergency, and in office we will kick start a Green Industrial Revolution to safeguard our future and transform our economy.”
The motion was proposed by Josh Pointing of Cowes and East Cowes Branch, who said
“I’m proud that Island Labour has joined the growing chorus of grassroots support among party members for a transformative Green New Deal.
It’s important people understand that tackling climate change doesn’t mean more austerity – we need to harness the green energy revolution to revitalise the economy and rebuild Britain in the interests of the many, not the fossil-fuel capitalists wrecking our planet.”
Labour for a Green New Deal
Conference notes:
- To prevent the worst effects of climate change, we must keep global temperature rises below 1.5°C.
- Over 1°C of warming has taken place, causing floods, droughts, heat waves, pollution, and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The poorest – particularly in the Global South – suffer most. Tackling climate change is thus indivisible from social, racial and economic justice.
- Just 100 companies are responsible for the majority of carbon emissions; and the Conservative government is deregulating the fossil fuel industry and cutting support for renewables.
- Labour has supported the youth strikes for climate and Extinction Rebellion, pushing the climate emergency up the national agenda. A Green New Deal is now a demand we must make.
Conference therefore calls on the Labour Party to include a Green New Deal in the manifesto: a state-led programme of investment and regulation for the decarbonisation and transformation of our economy that reduces inequality and pursues efforts to keep global average temperature rises below 1.5°C.
This will include:
- Commitment to zero carbon emissions by 2030;
- Rapidly phasing out all fossil fuels;
- Large-scale investment in renewables;
- A just transition to well-paid, unionised, green jobs available for all;
- A green industrial revolution expanding public, democratic ownership as far as necessary for the transformation;
- Green public integrated transport that connects Britain;
- Supporting developing countries’ climate transitions by increasing transfers of finance, technology and capacity;
- Assuring everyone’s basic rights through the provision of universal services;
- Welcoming climate refugees while taking measures against the displacement of peoples from their homes.
Recognising the importance of education in embedding deep systemic change in the fabric of society, transforming citizens’ relationship to nature from one of exploitation to one of stewardship
