Climate Change March - December 6th

Written by Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and published in Message to members on Tue 2nd Dec 2008

In these troubled economic times many politicians are all too willing to forget about crucial environmental issues. The Liberal Democrats are standing firm on our principles. In Parliament Square, London on the afternoon of Saturday December 6th I'll be speaking at the National Climate Change March to make it clear that the Liberal Democrats remain the only mainstream party willing to take the tough choices to safeguard our environment.

I want you to join me there.

Liberal Youth along with elected Liberal Democrats from across the country are going to be leading the Liberal Democrat contingent on the march. They are meeting at 11.30am at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park.

I know that many Liberal Democrat members are already planning on going to this important event. I hope that you can make it too. We want as many Liberal Democrats on the march as possible in order to demonstrate clear our dedication to the environmental cause.

At Westminster we have been leading the way on strengthening the Government's Climate Change Bill and Energy Bill. On climate change we tabled the successful amendment to increase the target for CO2 cuts by 2050 from 60% to 80%, and helped to ensure that international aviation and shipping emissions are reflected in the targets. We also backed successful amendments to the Energy Bill to bring in a system of 'feed-in tariffs' where individuals and communities will get a guaranteed price for the renewable energy they generate. Without Liberal Democrat pressure in the Commons and the Lords, it is unlikely that any of these changes would have been made.

We must keep up that pressure to ensure that the environment remains right at the top of the political agenda. This march is a chance to do that.