Press Release: Paul Blomfield MP endorses Sheffield Friends of the Earth’s call for more green jobs

PRESS RELEASE: Paul Blomfield MP endorses Sheffield Friends of the Earth’s call for more green jobs

Paul Blomfield MP endorses Sheffield Friends of the Earth’s call for more green jobs. He agrees that ‘Green is working’ - recent figures from the Green Alliance show that there are almost one million jobs already in the low carbon-sector.

We are calling on the Government to block the Chancellor’s expensive dash-for-gas, which would see us hooked on costly and dirty imported gas and undermine investment in renewables. Instead the Government should use the Energy Bill to develop more home-grown clean power from our wind, sea and sun, which boost the economy and create thousands of jobs.

Sheffield Friends of the Earth spokesperson Maureen Edwards said:
“Green is working – while the UK struggles in a double-dip recession the low-carbon sector is growing, paving the way to new jobs.

“Many more jobs and business opportunities could be created here in Sheffield if Ministers give the green light to renewable energy.

“We want Nick Clegg to make sure that the Government resists George Osborne’s attempts to keep Britain hooked on costly foreign gas.

The majority of the public want their homes to be powered by clean British energy from our sun, wind and sea.”

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, said:
“I’m backing the Green is Working campaign and want to see the Government put much greater emphasis on creating green jobs. By doing this we can rebalance our economy away from the City of London and tackle climate change at the same time. 

“Investing in clean renewable energy the UK would create thousands more green manufacturing jobs. The Government could also create green jobs by doing more to improve energy efficiency in homes, buildings and transport systems.”

A Populus poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth in September revealed that 72% of people in Yorkshire and Humberside think that the Energy Bill should give a high priority to renewable energy.

The Bill is being debated in Parliament from this November and will determine how the UK is powered for the next 20 years.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to include a target to green UK electricity by 2030 – as recommended by the independent Committee on Climate Change.

ENDS



Notes to editor:
1. The Green Alliance report ‘Green economy: a UK success story’ is available to download from:
http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/grea_p.aspx?id=6629 

2. Populus interviewed over 2000 adults in Great Britain between 19 and 21 September 2012. The poll for Friends of the Earth showed that 72% of people in the UK think the Energy Bill should give high priority to renewable energy (72% in Yorkshire and Humberside).

3. Government figures released in September showed that over three quarters of the public (77%) back renewable energy for providing our electricity, fuel and heat. For more information see http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/6410-decc-public-att-track-surv-wave2-summary.pdf .

Letter: Lib Dems and the Green Vote

Letters Page Article to Sheffield Telegraph (Sent 22 June 2004)

Lib Dems and the Green Vote

If the Lib Dems want to convince voters that they have sound green credentials and the potential to put them into practice, as stated in last week’s Telegraph, then they will have to try a lot harder than they did at the recent Council elections. Sheffield Friends of the Earth wrote to candidates asking them to support three key environmental policies: a GM free Sheffield, a high quality doorstep recycling service, and better facilities for walking, cycling and public transport. We received support from 23 Green Party candidates, 5 Conservatives, 3 Labour, 2 Independents, 1 Democratic Socialist Alliance, and 1 Lib Dem (thank you, Councillor Ali Qadar!).

We appreciate that elections are a busy time for candidates, so we would like to offer the rest of the Lib Dems another opportunity to tell us where they stand on these three key issues. Sheffield Friends of the Earth want to work with all political parties to promote policies that protect both our local, and global, environment. We support all local Councillors who are prepared to make a real commitment to green policies. Does that include the Lib Dems?

Steve Goodacre

Sheffield Friends of the Earth

Press Release: Call on Sheffield MPs to Vote For New Recycling Law

Press Release

For immediate release: Tuesday 04 March 2003

Call on Sheffield MPs to Vote For New Recycling Law

Sheffield Friends of the Earth would like to congratulate Sheffield Hallam MP Richard Allan after he promised to vote for a new law to ensure that every household in England and Wales is provided with doorstep recycling.

Sheffield Friends of the Earth are today calling for other local MPs to follow Richard Allan’s example by voting in support of the Doorstep Recycling Bill (officially known as the Municipal Waste Recycling Bill), which faces its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday 14th March.

The Bill has already received the support of a majority of MPs, but Sheffield Friends of the Earth wants local MPs to vote as well to ensure better recycling facilities for the whole of Sheffield. The Bill, being taken forward by Joan Ruddock MP, will guarantee doorstep recycling for every household in England and Wales if it makes it into law. The second reading on Friday 14th March is the crucial next step. At least 100 MPs must vote in favour at the second reading for the Bill to be passed.

The UK currently has an appalling recycling record, recycling just 12 per cent of waste compared to some European neighbours who recycle and compost more than 50 per cent. The Bill would reduce the need for deeply unpopular landfill sites and incinerators, and could help Britain become one of the best recyclers in Europe. According to the latest figures Sheffield County Council recycles around 5 per cent.

Sheffield Friends of the Earth's Recycling Campaigner Shaun Rumbelow said:

"We hope that local MPs will follow Richard Allan’s example, and will turn up and vote for doorstep recycling for every home on Friday 14th March. This country has an appalling recycling record, and this new law would ensure that Britain's recycling facilities match the best in Europe. But it will only become law if enough MPs turn up and give their support."


ENDS

Notes:

[1] See the full list of MPs who have said they will vote for the Bill at

http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/waste/resource/doorstep_recycling.html

[2] Attached is a Microsoft Word document sent to Sheffield Friends of the Earth in support of the recycling Bill by Richard Allan MP.


Contacts: Dr Elizabeth Goyder

07791 223367 (mobile)

0114 222 0783 (day time)