Mel Stride MP, who returned to the backbenches in July after five years as a minister and cabinet minister, will step up his efforts to champion environmental protections and measures to tackle climate change. On Friday he met with David Rickwood from The Woodland Trust, Ruth Testa from Devon Wildlife Trust, Audrey Compton from Teignbridge Climate Emergency Action Group and several other representatives from climate change action groups in Central Devon. The meeting at Whiddon Down covered a range of issues including Government policy on the environment and the future of sustainable farming in the UK, ideas on how to tackle climate change and the necessary local action here in Devon to reduce our carbon footprint.
Speaking after the meeting Mel said:
“Everyone present today wants to protect our county and our country from climate change and to leave our environment in a better state for our children and grandchildren. I was very proud that one of my last acts as a minister was to support the UK in becoming the first major economy in the world to legislate for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and I will be making it a mission of mine in Westminster, now I have returned to the backbenches, to hold the Government to account when it comes to delivering on this commitment. I am also happy to provide help and support to local projects that reduce our carbon footprint and preserve local wildlife populations and our wider environment.”
Prior to becoming a treasury minister Mel served in the Whips’ Office and helped steer the 2013 Energy Bill through the House of Commons which set strict carbon emissions targets and has since reduced UK greenhouse gas emissions.
