Climate Change

Fleur Anderson Excerpts

Wednesday 24th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab)]

I declare an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on the environment, and I would like to thank all my constituents who write to me so regularly about environment issues. I also want to give a big shout-out to South Thames college and its net zero training hub, which has been built in response to so much demand for green jobs in our local area and is really helping to boost the net zero economy in south-west London.

I welcome the Government’s commitment to the seventh carbon budget in this London Climate Action Week, on this the hottest June day on record ever. This week’s heatwave is a stark reminder of what is at stake. Climate change is no longer a distant threat sometime in the future; it is here now, affecting lives, livelihoods and public services across our country, and especially in London. The question is whether we respond with the urgency that this moment demands and the long-term thinking that this carbon budget demonstrates. We are seeing the consequences of extreme heat in transport, in halting rail services, in pressurising our energy system and in forcing school closures, with more than 1,000 today alone.

[Mr Perkins]

Will my hon. Friend give way?

[Fleur Anderson]

I am sorry, but I am afraid I will not.

This extreme heat creates unsafe working conditions, especially for those in physical roles, like my son who is on a construction site today. Food production is at risk, productivity falls, services stretch and working people pay the price too often. The human toll has not been talked about in this debate so far, but it is sobering. Last summer, the hottest on record, was linked to more than 1,500 heat-related deaths in England alone. Without decisive action, these consequences will only intensify.

Carbon budget 7 provides what we need most and what businesses need most, which is clarity. With a stable long-term direction, investment will follow, supporting jobs, strengthening supply chains and driving innovation. We are already seeing this in the UK’s growing net zero economy. It also delivers wider co-benefits, including warmer homes, lower bills, cleaner air and better public health. This is about improving lives—for example, by improving the air quality in Putney. It is welcome news that in London, deaths linked to toxic air have reduced by 40% in five years as a result of the policies brought in by the Mayor, including clean buses and the ultra-low emission zone.

Public support remains strong, but confidence in delivery is weaker. Too often, people cannot see that clear path to net zero, and that is why carbon budget 7 really matters. It does not just set the destination; it gives confidence in the journey. We need more affordable heat pumps, more car clubs, more trees and more council insulation projects. While I support the Government’s approach, I want to raise a serious concern about the expansion of Heathrow airport, which is projected to add 9 million tonnes of emissions each year. How does that square with what we are doing to reduce emissions across every sector? I draw attention to the Heathrow expansion national policy statement, or HENPS—not very snappy, but it is very important. The consultation was launched last week, and I hope that anyone listening, especially my constituents in Putney, will get involved in it. How does this align with our commitments under carbon budget 7?

[John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab)]

Can I, through my hon. Friend, ask the Minister to look at the Heathrow statement, which seems not to align with the policies we are advocating today? Also, some of the factual evidence that has been produced as part of the impact studies that the Government have also published does not seem to be reflected in the statement accurately.

--- Later in debate ---

[Fleur Anderson]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that. We are looking at the science here. Carbon budgets are related to the science, and the statement about Heathrow expansion has to be related to the science and the evidence as well.

The carbon budget 7 is very welcome. It is necessary and urgent. I welcome the Government’s leadership, not only for us in our country, but in showing the way and leading other countries, and I have seen that in many places. If we get this right, we can deliver not just on climate, but on jobs, food security, national security, growth, health and resilience for decades to come.

[Several hon. Members rose—]