Oral Answers to Questions

Martyn Day Excerpts

Thursday 9th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on tackling climate change.

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

13. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on tackling climate change.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Michael Gove)]

Tackling climate change is a cross-Government priority and it is one of a range of issues that I discuss with all Cabinet colleagues. My Department works closely with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to reduce emissions in the natural resources sector, as set out in the clean growth strategy.

[Michael Gove]

I am happy to congratulate the many entrepreneurs, innovators and others who have been responsible for powering ahead with the growth of the renewables sector not just in Scotland but across the United Kingdom. One of the reasons why subsidies for solar, for example, have been cut is because the price has come down—the subsidies were necessary to kick-start investment. It is a fact that 99% of solar power generated in this country has been generated since 2010—since the Conservatives have been in Downing Street.

[Martyn Day]

I understand that the Secretary of State sat in close attention when Greta Thunberg visited recently. Following her visit, will he tell us whether he agrees with the Scottish Government that there is a climate change emergency? If so, what does he intend to do to cut emissions from aviation?

[Michael Gove]

There absolutely is a climate change emergency and a need to act, and Greta Thunberg’s testimony was incredibly powerful. When it comes to aviation, we need to work with the sector to ensure that we balance the need to promote growth and, indeed, the need to promote links across the United Kingdom while moving towards meeting our net zero goal.