๐จ CENโs
#CPC24
programme is now live!
Plan your Conference season early and join us for drinks receptions, policy debates and plenty of merch.
๐
๐จ NEW POLL: Wind and solar power overwhelmingly popular with Conservative voters according to
@RenewableUK
โก๏ธ
โ๏ธ 89% of Conservative voters support solar
๐จ 88% of Tory voters support offshore wind
๐จ 83% of Conservative voters support onshore wind
So far, 3โฃ2โฃ Conservative MPs have signed the amendment to end the onshore wind ban.
We can lower people's energy bills by building new cheap, clean onshore wind farms where communities agree.
It's time to unlock Britain's wind power potential.
CEN MP
@ZacGoldsmith
says that using nets to cover trees and other bird habitats is 'without doubt the crudest demonstration of our disregard for the natural world' and calls for action to stop it.
โIt is time to take back control of our energy suppliesโ and that means investing in โclean green powerโ says Prime Minister
@BorisJohnson
๐ฌ๐ง๐ช
๐ We welcome the news that boiler manufacturers will be required to sell an increasing proportion of heat pumps.
Heat pumps will keep our homes warm, whilst increasing our energy security and reducing our reliance on volatile and expensive gas.
โก๏ธ
Thank you,
@RishiSunak
, for inviting CEN MPs and peers to Number 10 this morning ๐ต๐ณ
We raised how important protecting the environment is for many Conservative voters and shared our views on how the government can achieve net zero and halt the decline of nature.
31 years ago today, Margaret Thatcher gave a landmark speech to world leaders at the UN calling for action against the threat to our global environment.ย
Watch it here:
This
#WorldEnvironmentDay
, it's time
#forNature
. Let's put nature at the heart of our recovery and deliver an ambitious Environment Bill that restores our wildlife and natural habitats. ๐ณ๐
๐บ Watch a message from CEN MPs and Peers:
30 years ago yesterday Margaret Thatcher became the first major world leader to call for international action to tackle climate change. Read some of her quotes and watch the video ๐
30 years ago today Margaret Thatcher was the first major world leader to raise the issue of climate change internationally at the UN. 30 years on and the UK maintains climate leadership with our net zero target.
#ThatcherAt30
Watch her speech in full:
The second day of
@Conservatives
Spring Conference kicks off with Environment SoS George Eustice who highlights the farming and environmental wins we have been able to unlock thanks to
#Brexit
๐๐ณ
Congratulations,
@grantshapps
, on being appointed the UK's first ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ผ ๐ฌ๐งโก๏ธ
๐ฃ Ukrainian MP
@GoncharenkoUa
: "I don't think it's just renewables. Clean energy is energy from clean countries, from countries with clean regimes. Today it is Russia. Who will it be tomorrow? I think the free world should not be dependent at all."
#CENatCPC
#CPC22
โ๏ธ "Brexit freedoms make English agriculture more productive, resilient, and sustainable. We must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity."
๐ฐ We were delighted to sign this letter in today's
@thetimes
, urging ministers to deliver the Environmental Land Management schemes.
Huge congratulations to
@Anna_Firth
on her election as the new Member of Parliament for Southend West.
We are delighted to announce that one of Anna's first acts as an MP was to join the CEN Parliamentary Caucus! ๐๐ณ
Great news that
@DominicRaab
,
@BorisJohnson
and
@michaelgove
support a
#netzero
by 2050 emissions target. The UK has a strong record on decarbonisation, but we know that we must do more to end our contribution to climate change.
๐จ ๐ข
@DefraGovUK
has just published their amendment to the Environment Bill setting a clear target to halt the decline of nature by 2๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ
๐ฃ TODAY weโre releasing new polling showing widespread support for a green economic recovery that helps to tackle climate change and pollution. Find out more:
Today we're launching our new manifesto, ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ, signed by 4๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ Conservative MPs and peers, with six ways the government can clean up the UK's rivers, seas, and waterways.
Find out more:
We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic death of Sir David Amess, an MP dedicated to serving his constituents and a passionate campaigner for animal welfare. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and staff at this awful time.
โก๏ธ WATCH
@AlexChalkChelt
's excellent speech as he tabled his
#NetZero
Bill in Parliament today. "The circumstances of
#climatechange
are so serious that nothing less than this will do."
๐ฅ WATCH: Historian and environmental campaigner
@holland_tom
unveils his 'red meat and greens' advice for the Conservative Party.
According to a YouGov poll, 81% of people support rewilding in Britain - voters want to see native habitats and species restored ๐ฆซ๐ฆ๐ฆ
The Environment Bill has completed its passage through Parliament & has received Royal Assent! ๐๐
Congratulations to George Eustice,
@pow_rebecca
&
@ZacGoldsmith
for delivering this landmark legislation which will protect & improve our natural environment for years to come๐ณ
Restore nature to reduce the risk of flooding says Natural England Chair
@TonyJuniper
.
"If our landscapes can become rougher greener โspongesโ, richer in wildlife, they'll store more water upstream & release it gradually," reducing the effect of flooding.
โ๏ธ "We cannot expect billpayers to put up with such levels of pollution without poor performance being penalised. Therefore water companies will be penalised for breaches, and Ofwat now has powers to link payouts to performance."
-
@theresecoffey
๐ฆซ A study has found that beavers reintroduced to Cornwall 5 years ago have...
๐ Dramatically reduced flood risk
๐ฆ Brought 13 species back to the area
๐ง Improved water quality
๐ง Brought 5,000 visitors to the site
๐ Find out more ๐
@thisischerilyn
๐จ
@BorisJohnson
,
@WilliamJHague
and Lord Howard say Tories cannot abandon environmentalism in The Sunday
@thetimes
.
That's why you should read CEN's new manifesto with 90 policies to:
๐ Ensure security
๐ฟ๏ธ Boost nature restoration
๐ Support net zero
๐งต on the manifesto ๐
The UK must take the lead on
#climatechange
, says
@michaelgove
.
We have "a responsibility to lead a green revolution, to show that we understand our responsibility, our debt to the planet & our debt to the rest of the world."
Thank you to CEN MP
@MattHancock
who spoke at our reception after our โCompeting in the
#NetZeroAge
โ conference today.
He spoke passionately about the impact of climate change, the political risk of inaction and why conservatives must follow Thatcher and lead on climate.
TODAY: We've released polling showing the huge amount of support for
#onshorewind
including amongst Conservative voters. See your break down by constituency, as well as support levels for solar, tidal and fracking: โกโกโก
โ๏ธ CEN MP
@pow_rebecca
: "We won a landslide majority in 2019 on a manifesto promising bold action to deliver net zero by 2050, keep the ban on fracking unless new evidence says itโs safe, and reform farm payments. These are promises we must keep."
Read โฉ
'Could anyone who loves and respects the noble lion even entertain the idea of paying thousands of pounds to butcher them?' - CEN MP
@ZacGoldsmith
calls for the UK to protect endangered species by banning the import of hunting trophies.
๐ฅ A packed room for our
#CPC23
๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง.
Thank you to
@theresa_may
,
@andy4wm
and Duncan Clark from
@Orsted
for joining us.
Find out what our speakers said below ๐
๐ฌ CEN Director
@samuelhall0
: "Fracking is unlikely to yield significant amounts of energy due to UK geology. Ministers should instead prioritise liberalising planning rules for onshore renewables and helping lower income households insulate their homes."
๐ณ We are the Conservative Environment Network.
๐ We are the home of conservative environmentalism.
๐ We are here to champion nature restoration, resource security and net zero.
What's next? ๐
We're delighted that
@Siobhan_Baillie
has joined the CEN Caucus - she prioritised the environment during her campaign & called for practical climate action that brings people with us on the pathway to net zero
'The environmental challenge is urgent & there is always more to do.'
We're delighted that the government has announced new support for onshore wind and solar in the next round of Contract for Difference auctions!
CEN's Director Sam Hall has commented:
"As a financial adviser you tell people to diversify your assets, reduce risk...the same is true for biodiversity"
@sajidjavid
explains why environmental stewardship is a conservative instinct & how to implement the
#DasguptaReview
by pricing nature.
"Shark finning is indescribably cruel and causes thousands of shark to die terrible deaths. It is also unforgivably wasteful."
-
@ZacGoldsmith
discusses the benefits of this world-leading ban on shark fin trade ๐ฆ๐
Great to see one of our newest CEN MP's
@theodoraclarke
championing the environment in her maiden speech ๐ฃ๏ธ
From plastic pollution & conservation, to supporting our farmers & enhancing post-Brexit environment & animal welfare standards, she's pledged to push for climate action.
We look forward to working with Her Majesty's Government to deliver this ambitious programme in the year ahead - including an Environment Bill with legally binding targets for air quality & a pathway to net zero ahead of the crucial UN Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow.
We're delighted to announce Sam Hall will be joining CEN as our new Director! Sam will join the team starting at Conservative Party Conference so make sure you come by the CEN Hub to say hello.
We're delighted to welcome
@TomTugendhat
to the CEN Caucus!
Tom is a passionate advocate for UK leadership in driving a global oceans treaty & ambitious climate action at COP26. He also supports the govt commitment to maintain high environmental standards in future trade deals.
We are pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for our upcoming Half-Day Nature Conference is...
The Rt Hon George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for the Environment ๐๐ณ
Join us on Thursday 20 January 2022๐
๐:
Today the government has confirmed that it will support the aims of
@Dunne4Ludlow
's Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill to tackle river pollution, which is a great first step to
#EndSewagePollution
.
Many CEN MPs have backed the campaign. Find out more:
โ๏ธ "We need an orderly transition, not an economic shutdown."
Today 41 CEN MPs have written to the
@Telegraph
, condemning the latest Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion protests.
We can unite Britain with a credible, deliverable and affordable plan to achieve net zero.
๐ Nearly two-thirds of Conservative voters want the government to end the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, according to polling by
@RenewableUK
โก๏ธ
With sky-high gas prices, the government should let the market deploy cheap, clean and secure renewables like onshore wind.
Great to see that PM
@BorisJohnson
discussed climate change with Australian PM
@ScottMorrisonMP
& raised the need for ambitious targets to cut emissions. Conservative govts must collaborate to drive ambitious climate action ahead of COP26
@CoalitionforCo1
Fracking isn't the answer to the energy crunch.
โ It's unsafe, unpopular and unsuited to the UK's complex geology.
โก๏ธ The only way to shield the UK from energy crises is to go net zero and reduce our reliance on gas.
Our Senior Climate Programme Manager
@JackRdsn
explains ๐
Today we say a fond farewell to our Senior Climate Programme Manager
@jackrdsn
and our Senior Nature Programme Manager
@JECullimore
after three years at CEN!
They've been a huge part of our work and we will sorely miss them both.๐
We wish them the very best in their new roles!
CEN MPs are campaigning for the government to lift the de facto ban on onshore wind to allow new projects where communities agree.
Unlocking cheap, clean onshore wind would strengthen our energy security and lower peopleโs bills.
โ๏ธ "The effective ban on new onshore wind was particularly short-sighted because over the past decade the cost of this source of energy has tumbled. Today it is by far the cheapest source of electricity."
- Today's leading article in
@thetimes
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Roger Scruton. His intellect & eloquence have left an indelible mark on conservative thought. Green conservatives will remember in particular his writings on the inherent connection between conservatism & concern for the environment
๐๐๐ Zero carbon sources delivered nearly half (48.5%) of the UKโs electricity in 2019 - a new record beating fossil fuels for the first time (43% fossil fuels, 8.5% biomass)!
30 years ago today Margaret Thatcher was the first major world leader to raise the issue of climate change internationally at the UN. 30 years on and the UK maintains climate leadership with our net zero target.
#ThatcherAt30
Watch her speech in full:
CEN MP
@SimonClarkeMP
explains his amendment to end the de facto onshore wind ban, allowing new projects where communities agree.
๐ฃ "I'm so pleased to have support of so many Conservative colleagues for an idea which unites opinion from right across our party."
Great to see so many CEN MPs contributing to the debate on the
#EnvironmentBill
yesterday - a monumental piece of legislation to restore nature, improve air quality and tackle plastic pollution. Lots of ideas raised on how to make it even stronger too.
๐จ New Manifesto ๐งต
๐ณ Today, CEN has launched a manifesto for trees, woodlands & forests: Branching Out
๐ฒ Find out why 32 MPs are supporting our plan for trees, which will:
๐ฟ๏ธSupport nature
๐Grow our economy
๐ชตEnsure timber security
Read here ๐
Thank you to all the Conservative MPs, councillors and party members who joined us at
#CPC22
๐ต๐ณ
We were delighted to see so many Conservatives backing net zero and nature restoration. ๐ช
#CENatCPC
1/5
We are proud to announce the launch of the Centre-Right Climate Action Declaration which has been signed by over 3๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ2๏ธโฃ centre-right national legislators from 5๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ political parties across the world ๐๐๐
๐งตRead our thread to find out more๐
Brilliant news! Today the Animal Welfare( Sentencing) Bill passed through! Such a landmark historical achievement which will increase sentencing for cruelty to animals. Thank you
@chrisloder
&
@uxbridgewalrus
#AnimalsDeserveJustice
๐จ CAMPAIGN WIN
The government is expanding marine protections around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ The area, which is eight times the size of Wales, will protect penguins, whales, seabirds, and much more biodiversity in the area.
More in ๐งต below:
CEN MP
@HenrySmithUK
argues the time has now come for the controversial practice of
#fracking
to be dropped once & for all and to focus on clean energy.
"If weโre serious about being a global environmental leader, then itโs time to stop fracking around".
๐บ WATCH: CEN MP Mark Menzies tells MPs why the government should not lift the fracking moratorium.
๐ฃ "The geology has not changed nor has the science. We cannot keep doing the same thing and hope for a different outcome."
@Conservatives
in Southend West have selected Anna Firth, a barrister, as their candidate for the by-election.
It follows the death of Sir David Amess, who was fatally stabbed during a constituency surgery in October.
Before yesterday's meeting CEN MPs led a letter to PM
@theresa_may
asking her to speak to
@AbeShinzo
about Japan's decision to resume commercial whaling. We hope he reconsiders for the sake of these magnificent creatures.
๐ฌ CEN Director
@samuelhall0
: "Solar on less productive agricultural land supports food security by diversifying farmers' incomes and making farm businesses more resilient." 1/2
๐ข NEW: Englandโs de facto onshore wind ban will be lifted following a campaign led by CEN MP
@SimonClarkeMP
โก๏ธ
This evening, the government unveiled plans to allow new onshore wind farms where communities agree.
Today we're delighted to launch our Net Zero Champions initiative, with 25 CEN MPs who will be campaigning to unlock the potential of their seven solution areas, to get the UK on track to its net zero target and create green jobs across the country.
๐จ NEW: Polling with
@OpiniumResearch
shows net zero rowbacks will:
๐ด Lose the Tories voters to the left
๐ต Not win Reform voters back
๐ชซ Not deliver for the majority of voters who want renewable energy
More in ๐งตbelow ๐
โ๏ธ โScottish Conservatives can win voters' trust by showing an alternative path to tackling climate change and reversing nature's decline, which delivers and grows our economy.โ
- CEN MSP
@murdo_fraser
in
@ScotExpress
๐ณ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
We're very sad to hear of the passing of Peter Ainsworth, a long-standing champion of conservative environmentalism who played a central role in setting up earlier versions of CEN.
We are very sad to have to announce the sudden passing of our Chair of Trustees, Peter Ainsworth who has been a passionate advocate for heritage - he will be greatly missed.
@Heritage_NGOs
@PeterAiers
๐ฌ โWith new renewables nine times cheaper than gas power, the government should let the market deploy these technologies to ease the energy crisis.โ
- CEN's
@samuelhall0
๐ฃ
@BorisJohnson
: "Offshore wind is nine times cheaper than gas with the insanity of what Putin has done.
"Renewables are not only important for us to defeat climate change, they're helping keep bills lower now."