Climate change action essential to human rights

The Liberal Democrats' candidate for Mid Derbyshire has spoken out on the significance of climate change and human rights, making it a key pledge in this May's general election.

Speaking at Transition Belper's Climate Change debate, Hilary Jones stressed that green measures were fundamental to Britain's role in ensuring the world was in a fit state to be handed on to future generations. 'Far from being a fringe distraction, making sure the local and global environment is protected and enhanced is essential to life, to sustaining our lifestyle and economy' said Hilary.

The former leader of Derby City Council emphasised her practical experience of working to protect and enhance the environment, giving examples of her negotiations to keep local train-maker Bombardier in business, insulation and solar panel installation on the city council's housing stock. 'In government, the Lib Dems have fought to keep climate change on the agenda, building up the off-shore wind turbine industry and speeding up work to improve public transport, particularly on the railways.'

'The next parliament is our last opportunity to fix legally binding targets for energy reduction that will protect people across the world (the Lib Dems have demanded that 60% of our energy is generated from renewable sources by 2030). But this is totally compatible with Britain concentrating on areas where we have leading expertise - carbon capture storage, electric vehicles and reducing energy demand with more efficiency and insulation - all areas which also create skilled jobs'.