Greens call on Starmer to lead international action at COP29 

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer MP urged world leaders to attend COP29 next week to underline its critical importance: 

“COP29 has set itself the goal of “deep, rapid and sustained emission reductions now to keep temperatures under control and stay below 1.5˚C, while leaving no one behind’.  

“But it won’t achieve that without the international leadership needed from Heads of State, Presidents and Prime Ministers.  

“I welcome the fact that Sir Keir Starmer will attend. The UK has the opportunity and responsibility as the first industrial nation on Earth to provide the leadership for a just transition. 

“We need the Prime Minister to show leadership on the world stage, by ensuring COP29 commits to: 

  • Urgently transition away from fossil fuels 
  • Provide the equitable and just finance promised for adaptation and mitigation, and to fund the loss and damage many are already experiencing as a result of climate impacts 

“Unfinanced is unprepared and we are both.  

“Of course, these are incredibly difficult times internationally, with the European Union stalling on its actions and President-elect Trump, a climate crisis denier, once again stalking the world stage. 

“But that is why it is so important that the UK steps forward to remind the world what is at stake if co-ordinated international action does not take place now. 

“New scientific evidence shows global average temperatures are on track this year to end up more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, making 2024 the first calendar year to breach this crucial target.  (1)l 

“We need international leadership now more than ever to tackle the climate crisis. We are getting leadership from the scientists, but too many of the world’s political leaders are ducking their responsibility.” 

Among national leaders not attending the UN conference in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11- 22 November are those from the US, China, France, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and Australia, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

(1) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1dpnxnvv2go 

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US Elections: Trump is a “climate change denier, a proud racist and misogynist”

Responding to the US elections, Green Party Co-Leader, Carla Denyer, said,

“A dangerous bigot, bully, and liar is once again set to become the leader of the most powerful country in the world. A climate change denier, a proud racist and misogynist, and a man who has sought to subvert elections and incite insurrection.

On this dark day, we stand in solidarity with all U.S. citizens who fear a convicted criminal and a fascist in the White House. And we stand with all those around the world who dreaded this moment and must now live with its consequences, including those in Gaza and Ukraine.

Together, those of us who believe in democracy must work together to overcome authoritarianism and the politics of hate.”


/ by Green Party

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Greens urge Rachel Reeves to deliver real change  

Greens call on chancellor to:  

  • Raise taxes on the very wealthiest to help fund a better future for everyone  
  • Avoid more austerity by another name 

Ahead of today’s Budget, co-leader Carla Denyer said: 

“We need to see Labour use this opportunity to make some bold decisions.  

“Fourteen years of Tory underinvestment in our NHS, our schools, care for our elderly loved ones have left our public services crumbling around us and in a state of crisis. We deserve better. We demand better. 

“It’s clear that the country just can’t afford more austerity under a different name. Labour campaigned on a manifesto of change – so now it’s time to deliver.  

“Real change that people will see around them in a tangible way – in the hospitals they visit when they’re ill, in their kids’ education, in affordable and reliable bus services to get around. 

“Real change is a political choice. The money to fund our public services is available. By taxing the very wealthiest a little more we can fund a better future for everyone.   

“Let’s see if Labour can deliver.”


/ by Green Party

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Green Council leaders call for funding boost in Budget

Ahead of the Labour government’s first Budget on Wednesday, Green Party Council leaders are warning of the urgent need for proper funding for local councils and services, after many years of damaging austerity.  

Local Government Association analysis shows that service spending in 2022/23 was 42.1% lower than it would have been had service spend moved in line with cost and demand pressures since 2010/11. This means that councils have made £24.5 billion in service cuts and efficiencies over this period [1]. 

Local councils deliver a huge range of statutory services, from child protection to waste and recycling services and temporary accommodation. They are also uniquely placed for real action on achieving net zero and to protect and restore other services vital to health and wellbeing in the community such as sports, arts, leisure and green spaces.  

Tony Dyer, Green leader of Bristol City Council, said: 

“Local Government provides many of our most essential services, from social care, to education and affordable housing. After years of cuts, if we do not see a real terms increase in local government funding then these services will falter and our communities will suffer.

“We desperately need a boost to our funding to enable proper resourcing of core and statutory services, especially those creating the most pressure on council finances such as adult social care, children services such as SEND, and temporary accommodation provision.”  

Caroline Topping, Green leader of East Suffolk Council, said: 

“As Green Party leaders of local Councils, we welcome the new government’s manifesto commitment to multiyear funding settlements and an end to wasteful competitive bidding, which has stressed already overstretched officer capacity and council resources. Even successful bids have often come with strings attached and time scales that hamper delivery. We expect and look forward to a completely new relationship which puts council funding on a secure and sustainable footing.” 

Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems on Green-led Lewes District Council, said: 

“Funding for council-led home insulation programmes is an example of the win-win that Councils can help deliver – cutting both carbon emissions and household energy bills. We have worked hard with neighbouring Councils to maximise insulation with the limited resources we have. National funding will immediately accelerate this and deliver savings and comfort to our tenants.”

Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire and former cabinet member for environment, economy and skills on Herefordshire Council, said:

“After so many years of austerity, local councils absolutely need the funding to deliver those basic services which everyone uses. Getting the basics right at local level is essential for the government to deliver on bigger national plans. Now is the time for a new government to set a new course for renewed investment in local public services.”

Notes

[1] Further funding cuts for councils would be disastrous; urgent funding and reform is needed | Local Government Association

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Why won’t Labour even consider putting water companies back into public hands ask Greens

Responding to the news (BBC) that a new independent commission will soon launch the largest review of the water industry since privatisation in the 1980s, Green Party Co-Leader, Carla Denyer said,

“Water is a basic human need. It should be in public hands run for people, not profit. I don’t know why Labour won’t even consider this.”


by Green Party

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