NEW GROUND AUTUMN 2016 Campaigning for environmental change & social justice

G R O U e w N n D Special

a u 6 t u 1 m n 2 0

brexit What now for nature and climate change?

Michael Jacobs, Kerry McCarthy MP & Nick Mohlo On the green challenge of Brexit

Down Under Melanie Smallman Greening the Australian SERA launches clean Labor Party air campaign Welcome to our 2016 Autumn Edition

Andrew pakes

It feels like a lot has happened to radical action on air pollution. since the UK voted narrowly to The Mayor of ’s commitment leave the European Union on matches SERA’s new campaign 23 June, yet we seem to be no on air pollution, which Melanie clearer about what Brexit would Smallman writes about in this issue. mean either for the environment or wider policy concerns. It has The referendum campaign threw been a depressing few months for up two lessons for me. One, that the progressive left – losing the too many people did not realise referendum, watching a new (even the positive impact that the EU had more) right-wing Prime Minister take had on driving up environmental up residence in Downing Street, standards in the UK. Secondly, and Labour battling amongst itself. we didn’t campaign hard enough Despite these challenges, there or smart enough. To be fair lots is a job of work to be done for of people did get stuck in, with those of us who care about nature Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth and tackling climate change. amongst some of the best Remain campaigners. Yet too many green This edition of New Ground looks NGOs sat on the sidelines refusing at what Brexit could mean for the to take a proactive campaigning role; environment and how the progressive some were scared by Conservative left can respond. It is going to anti-lobbying laws, but others just take a major effort to protect the didn’t see campaigning as their Andrew Pakes is the editor environmental gains that have been role. We cannot afford to allow of New Ground and a member won over the last three decades. this to happen again. We need to of the SERA Executive. But there are also opportunities to make our case on the environment He tweets at @andrew4mk forge ahead, especially with a new better – a theme this issue of Labour Mayor in London committed New Ground begins to explore.

contents About WELCOME 2016 - Andrew Pakes 2 New Ground is published by EDITORIAL Brexit Special / Environmental Law 3 SERA, Labour’s environment campaign www.sera.org.uk FEATURE Brexit Special / Don’t Panic - Michael Jacobs 4 Email: [email protected]

FEATURE Brexit Special / Environmental Policy - Nick Molho 6 If you would like to contribute to future editions or join our FEATURE Brexit Special / The Future of Food - Kerry McCarthy MP 8 mailing list, please contact Melanie Smallman, Co-Chair at FEATURE SERA Clean Air / A Breath of Fresh Air - Melanie Smallman 11 [email protected] The views expressed in New VIEWS SERA Clean Air / A View from London - Leonie Cooper AM 13 Ground are those of the authors and not necessarily A View from Europe - Seb Dance MEP VIEWS 15 those of the editor, SERA its executive or its members. VIEWS A View from Scotland - Claudia Beamish MSP 17 Printed and published VIEWS A View from Australia - Felicity Wade 19 by UNP, The I.O. Centre, Unit 7, Skeffington Street, THE SERA RALLY Green Horizons event information 20 London, SE18 6SR

2. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice EDITORIAL environmental leadership under the microscope

No-one really knows what Brexit Future status of important environmental legislation if the UK left the EU and stayed in the EEA means for the UK, let alone its Would continue to apply Would no longer apply impact on our environment. Urban Waste Water Directive Birds Directive We know that nearly half of Treatment Directive Habitats Directive our trade (£12 billion) is with Nitrates Directive Bathing Water Directive Europe and that getting the right Groundwater Directive negotiators with the right goals Priority Substances Directive for our own version of TTIP or Air Framework Directive (and daughters) CETA or joining the European Industrial Emissions Directive Free Trade Agreement alongside Emissions Trading Directive Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein Directive on Carbon Capture and Storage Seveso Directive through the EEA or through a Directives on contained use and deliberate release of GMOs Waste Framework Directive bilateral agreement such as with Sewage Sludge Directive Switzerland, will be important for Waste Shipment Regulation Landfill Directive delivering strong environmental End of Life Vehicles Directive WEEE Directive policies which underpin our Mining Waste Directive quality of life. Many trading partners demand a level playing field, and this gives some shape technologies many of which citY LEADERSHIP many to environmental policies, are essential to a sustainable and will likely continue ahead. low carbon economy. Many solar businesses 7/10 of the most sustainable cities On a positive note we know for example have folded in the world are in Europe. that those countries within due to the Government’s Frankfurt Berlin the EFTA EEA countries are changes to the subsidies. 1 6 expected to follow the full body 2 London 7 Seoul of EU law, setting out specific Despite issuing the fifth carbon 3 Copenhagen 8 Hong Kong environmental measures including budget, the UK has yet to cross cutting EU legislation. ratify to the Paris Agreement, 4 Amsterdam 9 Madrid However, a small number of and we need to put pressure 5 Rotterdam 10 Singapore measure relating to birds, habitats on the Government to show and bathing water could be leadership and move this Is it too much to suggest that excluded. See table top right forward. Eyes are on new being part of Europe has for a list of what would apply. Ministers for climate change influenced the quality of life in the Nick Hurd and Baroness Lucy UK’s 69 cities? How sustainable Even without the daily challenges Neville Rolfe, in the new BEIS cities are, is important for our of Brexit uncertainty, we are in a department (the merger of BIS quality of life and economies. somewhat precarious position, in and DECC). Looking outside part due to government inaction Britain, there are also red Cities house or produce: and policies. A shadow has been flags flying with a concern that • 54% of the world’s population cast over the UK’s standing as a one of the candidates to be • 70-80% of business global centre for research and the next US president would • 80% of energy consumption and development of new products and attempt to unpick the pact. greenhouse gas production

3. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

Don’t panic, Brexit doesn’t have to spell gloom for the environment

Michael Jacobs

Amid all the other news they would not have been nearly doing so, and the public and happening right now, you so strong if the UK parliament media should not be encouraged might have missed a vital had acted on its own. Indeed, to believe that it does. story: the government has British governments have often accepted the Climate tried to resist the EU’s push for The UK’s climate change targets Change Committee’s stronger environmental protection. and policy derive, not from the recommendation for the Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth EU, but from the 2008 Climate ‘fifth carbon budget’. and the Green Alliance were Change Act, passed by the This is the total amount rightly vocal remain campaigners. sovereign UK Parliament with of greenhouse gases cross-party support. It is the act which the UK economy But now that the decision has which requires the government to will be allowed to emit in been made, mimicking Fraser from set legally-binding carbon budgets: the 2028-30 period, which Dad’s Army and crying that we’re indeed, the one just proposed is will now be cut by 57 all doomed is not what’s needed. more ambitious than the targets per cent on 1990 levels On the contrary, it will merely set by the EU. Though the UK encourage those who oppose signed the Paris climate agreement This would be important for the environmental and climate policy as part of the EU, it has to be UK’s contribution to tackling to believe that they now have a ratified in the UK parliament, so climate change at any time. new mandate to get rid of it. Brexit will not change our long- In the aftermath of the EU term decarbonisation goals. referendum campaign it takes on It has not gone unnoticed that special significance, for it nails in the Venn diagram of the It is true that on leaving the EU the myth that Brexit will tear up right there’s a lot of overlap we will no longer be required to all of the UK’s environmental between Brexiters, climate meet its renewable energy and policies and commitments. The sceptics and anti-greens. energy efficiency targets. But environmental movement has Indeed, Nigel Lawson’s Global we will still have to implement been in visible despair since Warming Policy Foundation has them, because they are part of the recent leave vote. That’s already claimed that following our national climate and energy not surprising: most of the the referendum the UK should policies, aimed at meeting the three UK’s environmental laws and abandon its climate policies. goals (decarbonisation, affordability regulations spring from the EU, But the Brexit result provides and security of supply) set by the and environmentalists know that absolutely no grounds for UK government, not the EU.

4. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

Investment in energy infrastructure it would surely be impossible emissions trading scheme under will inevitably be subject to some to do so. With air pollution now any Brexit scenario. Third, the general economic uncertainty, but estimated to lead to around 40,000 government should confirm that the energy market is almost entirely premature deaths in Britain every a new comprehensive climate domestic and not for export, so year, which politician is going to action plan will be published by concerns over whether the UK will call for weakening the law? the end of the year showing how be in the EU single market do not the government intends to meet apply. Many of these investments And this, surely, is the point. Leaving the fifth carbon budget, including are now on hold – but that is nothing the EU will unquestionably be bad core policies for renewable energy to do with Brexit and all to do with for the environment, and is deeply and energy efficiency. Fourth, the lack of a long-term UK policy to be regretted. In some fields, it should announce its intention framework. Once the government such as nature conservation (where to pass a new Air Quality Act to announces a proper post-2020 the key directives do not apply to replace the EU-based provisions of support package, investment EEA members such as Norway), we current air pollution regulations. should begin flowing again. should be particularly alarmed at the prospect of Brexit leading to There are many rightful reasons for Outside the climate and energy the collapse of regulation. But the despair at the referendum result. field, leaving the EU does proper response to this is not to cry But the imminent destruction of not guarantee the loss of EU woe; it is to mobilise the public in the UK’s environmental policy need environmental regulation. If Brexit support of environmental protection. not be one of them. The country is takes the form of the ‘Norway This must now be the green experiencing a political earthquake. option’, in which we remain part of movement’s overwhelming priority. But we can still ensure that it does the European Economic Area (EEA) not pull down every house. in order to gain access to the single In the climate and energy field, market, almost all EU environmental where policy is domestically driven, A version of this article first regulation will continue to apply. the task is particularly urgent. appeared in EU law is designed to prevent It is to get the government to in summer 2016 lax environmental standards diminish investment uncertainty undercutting competition through a series of key in the single market, so it’s announcements. Energy Secretary all part of the package. Amber Rudd made a good start, but there is more to do. But even if we come out of the single market, key elements of The proper EU environmental law will remain. Product regulations such as energy response is to efficiency standards for white goods and emission limits for vehicles mobilise the will not disappear, because most public in support products sold in the UK will continue to be the same ones sold in the rest of environmental of Europe. Other EU regulations will remain in place because they protection have been transposed into British statute. Air pollution limits fall into this category: outside the EU we will First, post-2020 support for low- Michael Jacobs is lose the vital enforcement regime carbon energy must be included an academic, writer provided by European law, but the in the autumn statement. Second, and commentator on regulations themselves will remain. the government should announce international climate change Yes, a future government could that the UK, and UK firms, will and energy policy weaken these limits. But politically continue to belong to the European

5. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

Post Brexit an ambitious environmental policy is a necessity

Nick Molho

The Brexit vote makes the apply across the single market clean energy globally in 2015, need for an ambitious and its 500 million consumers. compared with $130bn going to environmental policy more new coal and gas generation. important than ever. The So the question of what next for Labour party has a critical the environment after the Brexit Much of this low carbon investment role to play in making sure vote is far from trivial. And whether is coming from outside the EU, this happens, argues Nick one looks at the future role of with countries like China, India, Molho, executive director Britain in the world, the future of Brazil, South Africa and the United of the Aldersgate Group its economy or of its environment, States being major investors. A the Brexit vote has made the case strategy that wants the UK to Most of the media coverage during for an ambitious environmental punch above its weight on the and after the EU referendum was policy in the UK stronger than ever. global stage must therefore include focused on immigration and the an ambitious low carbon policy. economy. Yet, the impact of the vote A thriving low carbon to leave the EU has important – and economy matters to The UK’s Climate Change Act, often overlooked - implications Britain’s global standing… which requires the UK to cut its for the environmental agenda. emissions of greenhouse gases A key tenet of the Leave campaign by at least 80 per cent by 2050 Many of the UK’s environmental was that the UK needed to look by meeting a series of five yearly laws come from or are the result beyond the EU and aspire to be ‘carbon budgets’, provides the of a close collaboration with the a competitive and relevant player framework through which this can EU. While not perfect, these on the global stage. All indicators be achieved. A priority for Theresa laws have on balance provided globally point to an increased May’s new government should be some important benefits to UK recognition that tackling climate to put forward a detailed Emissions businesses. Most notably, they change is a priority. More than Reduction Plan by the end of create a more level playing field 170 countries signed the Paris 2016 that sets out how the UK with other competing businesses Agreement on 22nd April this year, will attract the affordable private in the EU that are subject to the the most first-day signatories for any sector investment in low-carbon same rules and they have in several global agreement ever. Financially, technologies that will be needed cases driven positive environmental investment is increasingly flowing to meet the 57 per cent cuts in innovation by developing standards towards low carbon infrastructure. emissions by 2030 that is required such as on energy efficiency that Over $285bn was invested in by the ‘fifth carbon budget’.

6. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

The impact of the vote to leave the EU has important – and often overlooked - implications for the environmental agenda

…and to its economy our economy and society are heavily With all the competing priorities reliant, such as good quality soils, that Theresa May will be faced with This isn’t just important for the are in decline. As highlighted in a in the coming months, ensuring UK’s global standing. Much of recent report from the Committee that the UK has an ambitious the ongoing investment in low on Climate Change, the UK’s environmental and low carbon carbon technologies is taking infrastructure, businesses and policy will depend on the new place in parts of the UK where communities are currently poorly government understanding the there is a pronounced feeling of prepared to cope with the likely environmental, economic and economic disenfranchisement, impacts of climate change which foreign policy benefits of doing which was partly reflected in a will include more frequent risks of so. The Labour Party will have a strong Brexit vote in June. The flooding, heat waves and droughts. critical role to play in the coming investments by Associated British months in ensuring this happens. Ports, Siemens and Dong Energy A strategy to significantly improve to modernise the port of Hull, the state of the UK’s natural develop an offshore wind turbine environment, by for example blade factory and build the world’s improving the quality of soils to Nick Molho, is the executive largest offshore wind farm off support food production in the long- director of the Aldersgate Group the coast of Yorkshire is a good term and restoring coastal wetlands He tweets at @NickMolho example. Up to 1,000 people will to strengthen flood defences, be employed in the Siemens blade could help address many of these factory, a significant and positive concerns. This is where Theresa contribution given the high rates May’s government should deliver on of unemployment in the region. the previous government’s pledge to put in place a comprehensive A 25-year plan for the 25 Year Plan to deliver a healthier environment is essential and more resilient natural environment. This is also potentially The importance of the where the government could environmental agenda stretches incorporate important aspects of EU beyond the necessary growth of the environmental law, such as on water UK’s low carbon economy. Many of and air quality, that are important to the UK’s natural resources on which the state of the UK’s environment.

7. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

Brexit: leaving the CAP behind and the future of food outside the EU

Kerry McCarthy MP

As the new Environment that everybody had enough food there is already talk of moving Secretary starts to get to eat. Amid all the old jokes about production overseas: not because her head around the wine lakes and butter mountains, we can’t grow things here, but implications of Brexit for it is easy to forget that Europe’s because we can’t harvest them. her Department, she may food supply has not always been so call to mind, ruefully, secure, and that rationing continued Producing our own food is better the old idiom ‘be careful well after World War Two ended. for the economy, better for the what you wish for’ environment and gives us more Food shortages are now mostly confidence about the provenance Defra’s work - on food, farming, a thing of the past, but food of what we eat. If we are to feed fisheries and the environment security – or food sovereignty ourselves as a nation, we will have - is intertwined with the EU as it is sometimes called– is to address not just the labour issue, more than almost any other part still very much a live issue. but other big challenges ahead. of Government; untangling it will be a mammoth task for a The UK produces less than 60 per Our farming industry is set to lose Department which has already cent of the food we eat. Twenty- 55 per cent of its income when had its budget slashed and lost seven per cent of our food comes CAP payments end. Countries a quarter of its workforce. from the EU, including 40 per cent like New Zealand have abolished of our fruit and vegetables. Imports farming subsidies but, without Obviously what happens now is still of indigenous foods – food we radical change in the UK, such a very much up for negotiation. But could grow here – are increasing. move would devastate farmers if we are to leave the EU, we have The collapse of the pound is likely who are used to making a loss to see this as a once in a generation to put food prices up. Labour on their produce. With farmers opportunity to design a sustainable, shortages could have a significant receiving just £10 billion of the ethical and healthy food system. impact on food production and £198 billion UK consumers spend prices if freedom of movement on food each year, CAP essentially The Common Agricultural Policy is halted. Ninety per cent of fruit subsidises market failure. (CAP) is obviously the starting point. and vegetables grown in the UK We should not lose sight of why are picked and packed by 60,000 But simply substituting CAP with a CAP was developed – to ensure to 70,000 migrant workers, and like-for-like replacement would be a

8. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

wasted opportunity. Public subsidies demand. Intensive farming is too whether the Government genuinely must promote public goods. often associated with increased cares about curbing live animal environmental damage and lower exports, or better food labelling. The UK must build on CAP animal welfare standards. Such a reforms that were intended to move would be counter-productive, If we are to support British farmers, promote more environmentally particularly if we want to promote we do need mandatory country of responsible approaches. Current British produce around the world origin labelling. If we are to improve farming practices too often on the basis of its high quality. farm animal welfare standards, increase flood risk, pollute we need to expand method of our water and air, contribute In years gone by, the UK led the production labelling – as we to greenhouse gas emissions, way on animal welfare, pushing have already done for eggs - and damage our soil and threaten for EU-wide bans on veal crates ensure consumers aren’t misled biodiversity. We cannot continue and sow stalls. More recently, by labels which merely hint at to subsidise environmentally the EU has been showing the higher welfare systems. A better damaging behaviour. Instead, way forward, and the UK lagging labelling system could promote we need to incentivise a more behind, with this Government’s choice and consumer confidence, sustainable approach to farming, recent attempts to downgrade and help us market British produce look at how this could actually the Farm Animal Welfare Codes around the world on the basis of reduce farmers’ costs, and discrediting any claim to take its quality and ethical standards. ensure they are not penalised for animal welfare seriously. We must safeguarding our countryside. not allow the Tories to use Brexit But we also need a Government – and its ideological drive towards that takes food safety and food The market’s failure to recognise cutting ‘red tape’ and regulation standards seriously. It was the EU farmers’ costs has encouraged - as an opportunity to row back that intervened to block misleading some to consider moving towards on animal welfare standards. food claims and to give us reliable intensive farming as a way to nutrition labelling. It was the EU that reduce overheads and increase Europe has sometimes been a responded to salmonella concerns output. This is not the solution, convenient excuse for Ministers who and the BSE crisis by creating the particularly for dairy farmers can claim their hands are tied by the European Food Safety Authority when supply already outstrips EU. We will, for instance, now see (EFSA). And EFSA’s work has been

9. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE credited with helping to expose the no illusions about how far down malnutrition - a 57 per cent increase horsemeat scandal. Compare and environmental protections, food under the Coalition Government. contrast with the Tories’ slow and standards and workers’ rights will be A third of 11 year olds are timid response to that, when they on his list of negotiating priorities. overweight or obese and children had already cut the Food Standards in deprived areas are twice as likely Agency’s budget and undermined And our new Secretary of State for to be obese than children in least its ability to protect consumers. International Trade will find that it is deprived areas. Only a quarter of more difficult to “take back control” adults eat the recommended five We need vigilance on food crime than he claimed. The combined EU portions of fruit and veg a day. and food fraud, but the Tories just economies are greater than the aren’t interested. Nor are they US economy, but the UK will now So we need the new Environment interested in the safety of our be trying to negotiate a deal with Secretary to work with the food, which could be an issue in a country whose economy is more Departments of Health and negotiating trade agreements. than six times the value of ours. Education, and with the remnants of the former Department for Energy One of the many misconceptions So the new Secretary of State for and Climate Change, as well as during the referendum campaign the Environment, Food and Rural the new EU Exit team. We need was that leaving the EU would Affairs faces a daunting in-tray. from her a long-term vision for our protect us from TTIP (the We will need to remind her why food and farming industry, and a Transatlantic Trade and Investment this all matters. We will need to comprehensive strategy to improve Partnership the EU is negotiating ensure that she does not simply our food sovereignty, protect our with the USA). Aside from concerns see this as a bureaucratic exercise environment and promote healthy, about the NHS, dispute settlement to repeal EU rules and cut up the affordable diets. Labour needs and other issues, some of us “red tape” that protects us all. to be watching her and pushing have also been worried that TTIP her every step of the way. would open up our market to Also in her in-tray will be Defra’s food riddled with chemicals, meat long-delayed and much-criticised injected with growth hormones (by those who have seen it in draft) and chicken washed with chlorine. 25 Year Food and Farming Plan, There were fears also that the EU which now needs to be rewritten would be forced to abandon the in the wake of the referendum precautionary approach that has result. I hope the revised plan has been key to protecting consumers. more to say about the environment and sustainability, and about But the EU has said it will not climate change, which is one of the compromise on standards and greatest threats to food security. citizens across Europe have united Our food supply could contribute against a deal that could damage 2°C to global warming by 2050, our environment, threaten our health yet food and farming was barely and put jobs and rights at risk. on the agenda at the Paris talks.

Now, our fate rests with Liam We need a strategy that does not Fox – someone who has failed to ignore a mounting social justice support climate change legislation scandal and growing health crisis. and who has based his career on The Trussell Trust had to provide Kerry McCarthy MP, an unfounded paranoia about more than 1.1 million food parcels former Shadow Secretary “red tape”. He will be tasked last year. In 2014/15, more than for Environment, Food with negotiating bi-lateral trade 7,000 people were admitted and Rural Affairs agreements. We should be under to hospital with a diagnosis of

10. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

SERA CLEAN AIR CAMPAIGN 2016 A Breath of Fresh Air

Melanie Smallman

Sixty years ago the UK strong leadership from London support for an act, encouraging Government passed the Labour Mayor, . After research, shaping policy changes, Clean Air Act. Introduced years of campaigning from SERA actions including outlining the in the aftermath of the and organisations like Clean Air additional powers councils and London Great Smog disaster London, we finally have a Mayor administrations need, and hosting when as many as 12,000 who is making air quality a key discussions with key organisations. people died due to air- priority of his administration. And pollution, the 1956 Clean Air this is being backed by decisive The campaign has already gathered Act regulated domestic and action with proposals such as support from a number of Labour industrial smoke emissions a £10 T-Charge on the dirtiest MPs, MEPs, AMs and Councillors. vehicles, expanding the Ultra-Low From Matthew Pennycook MP and While we are no longer worried Emission Zone (ULEZ), bringing former UK Environment Minister about smoke from coal fires, air in the ULEZ in 2019 not 2020 and Huw Irranca-Davies AM, to Seb pollution – primarily from diesel creating clean bus corridors. Dance MEP and Deputy Leader vehicles - is thought to cause of Brighton Council Gill Mitchell. the deaths of more than 40,000 But there is more to do. The GLA’s people annually in the UK. Environment Committee, chaired They, like the SERA Executive, by SERA’s Leonie Cooper, has know that now more than ever we In 2015 the World Health made a number of suggestions need ambitious action to tackle Organisation estimated that the for London’s plans to go further, the UK’s dirty air. Especially in light UK suffers just under £54 billion in faster. And Sadiq’s leadership of the United Kingdom’s vote to economic costs a year associated should be replicated across the leave the European Union, which with air pollution. Around £15-20 country with administrations given puts at threat the rights we have billion of those economic costs are more powers to act and make to hold the UK Government to the health impacts, and represent air quality a priority for action. account though EU legal powers. around 7 per cent of the National This is why we have launched a Health Service budget. After campaign, joining the call of the Cleaner vehicles, clean fuels, a smoking, it is the biggest public London Mayor, to secure a new greater use of public transport, health risk and claims more lives Clean Air Act for the 21st Century. more walking and cycling schemes, than alcohol and obesity combined. less polluting buildings, more tree Over the coming months A planting, local air quality plans, Yet, for too long air quality has been Breath of Fresh Air, SERA’s clean ultra-low emission zones, proper ignored. No longer. We are seeing air campaign, will be building pollution warnings, and transferring

11. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice FEATURE

SERA CLEAN AIR CAMPAIGN 2016 Sign our UK Government & Parliament petition to secure change

EU air quality laws into UK law are problems due to underlying Links just some of the ways we can tackle health problems like asthma. the world’s largest environmental Sign our UK Government challenges and health risks and will Today it is time to back the & Parliament calling be pursued through our campaign. campaign for A Breath of Fresh for a Clean Air act Air and call for a Clean Air Act for 21st Century. SERA has been campaigning on air fit for the 21st Century. https://petition.parliament. quality for some time. In 2013 we uk/petitions/158816 ran a successful campaign to stop Sign our UK Government & the Government abandoning the Parliament petition to secure SERA’s Briefing on National Air Quality Monitoring change. Air Pollution: network and we are proud of the work that we have done with https://serauk.files.wordpress. others to ensure that pollution was com/2016/07/a-breath-of-fresh-air-a- a key issue for this year’s London clean-air-act-for-the-21st-century.pdf Mayoral Elections. But with 40 UK towns and cities in breach of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s safe particulate matter levels dirty proposals to improve air should be a serious issue for London’s air quality: Labour campaigners across the UK: https://www.london.gov.uk/ pollution isn’t restricted to London. what-we-do/environment/ pollution-and-air-quality/your- Tackling air pollution isn’t just views-how-can-we-clean-our-air an environmental issue – it’s one of social justice too. It is a killer GLA Environment that affects the poorest and the Committee’s response to weakest the most – those who Mayor’s consultation have little choice but to live or on Air Quality: go to school near busy roads, delivery drivers who spend hours https://www.london.gov.uk/ a day in traffic, breathing in Melanie Smallman, sites/default/files/air_pollution_ toxic fumes and those who are is Co-Chair of SERA high-level_consultation_ already vulnerable to breathing response_-_29_july_2016.pdf

12. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice v i e w 6 s VIEWS 1 0 2 view from LONDON Air quality: what is being proposed in London?

Leonie Cooper AM

Leonie Cooper AM, Chair • Bringing in the ULEZ in 2019, when city smogs caused by coal of the London Assembly not 2020 – and all double-decker fires were visible and obvious to Environment Committee buses to be compliant with ULEZ all, nitrogen dioxide gas and the writes about Labour Mayor requirements from 2019 not 2020; tiny particles that lodge in our Sadiq Khan’s bold initiatives lungs are completely invisible.

Sadiq Khan, the new Labour Mayor • Creating clean bus corridors by So with many London schools of London, made tackling London’s putting the cleanest buses onto situated in air pollution hotspots dirty air one of his key campaign the dirtiest routes, in a bid to and many routes to school involve pledges. Less than a week after he tackle air pollution hotspots. children travelling along the most took office in May, he made his first polluted roads, we are stunting statement on improving air quality, the lungs of generations to come saying that he would be launching Sadiq is also instructing officers – children are especially vulnerable a consultation in 2016. True to to draw up detailed proposals for two reasons, as studies have his word, Sadiq chose the 60th for a diesel scrappage scheme, now proven. Firstly, children are Anniversary of the Clean Air Act, to hopefully put pressure on the shorter, so they are much closer the 5th July, to deliver a keynote government to introduce such to the emission sources, but also speech that outlines some of his a scheme nationally and has their lungs are not fully developed proposals that he wants Londoners starting negotiating on Vehicle and are much more susceptible to consider. These include: Excise Duty. He also called for to the impact of nitrogen dioxide a new Clean Air Act, fit for the and particulate matter. • A £10 Toxicity or T-Charge, on 21st century – a major SERA top of the existing Congestion and green groups campaign. The Tory Government (and the Charge, for the dirtiest vehicles; previous Tory Mayor) have a As the Chair of the London shameful record on dealing with Assembly’s Environment dirty city air. The last Mayor alone • The Ultra-Low Emission Zone Committee and Labour lead on allowed a further 170,000 diesel (ULEZ) expanded out to the the environment, I really welcome vehicles to come onto London’s North and South Circular roads the fact that Sadiq has not let roads since 2012 alone, just adding for motorbikes, cars and vans this slip at all, and is pressing to London’s dirty air. While it is – and made London-wide for ahead on his pledge to improve fair to say that 15 years ago, when lorries, buses and coaches; air quality. Unlike 60 years ago less was known about the negative

13. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice VIEWS

You can find more information about the first stageof consultation on the Talk London website www.london.gov.uk/cleanair

health consequence of diesel, Mayor, who has started by ... many routes that the then Labour government putting out some strong ideas to made buying diesel vehicles more tackle a major health problem is to school involve attractive by changes to vehicle a refreshing change. There is no duties, since 2012 when the World doubt we can encourage him to children travelling Health Organisation defined go further – introducing the ULEZ along the most diesel as “definitely carcinogenic” in early 2019 or even in late 2018, nothing has been done. or expanding it to completely polluted roads, cover London, coinciding with the Client Earth, the environmental Low Emission Zone are potential we are stunting lawyers, also thought the Tory additional asks. The London Mayor the lungs of Government’s approach was is bound to receive opposition woeful – and took the Government from motorists organisations generations to come to Court and won, due to the and businesses – but I for one fact that the national air quality will be doing my best to make improvement plan was woefully sure that the Mayor delivers on inadequate. Client Earth are going his pledge to clean up London’s back to Court again in October dirty air and encouraging him 2016 to get the government’s to be bolder and think bigger. v i e w 1 6 s 0 revised plan reviewed – and 2 Sadiq has joined their action, as it still is inadequate. view from Leonie Cooper AM is Chair We really need to push ahead as of the London Assembly LONDON quickly as we can, taking action Environment Committee and that will have a real impact on the member of the SERA executive situation. A new and determined

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14. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice v i e w 1 6 s 0 2 VIEWS view from EUROPE A VIEW FROM EUROPE

SEB DANCE MEP

Brexit poses more Up until the 23rd June these emission limits on five toxic questions than answers, benefits had been assured, but pollutants, including NOx. There is we must provide the right looming Brexit, as in so many areas also a patchwork of regulations that response to save the of British life, has since created target air pollution at its source, UK’s environment, says unprecedented levels of uncertainty. including ‘Euro standards’ for road Seb Dance MEP, member vehicles and emission limits on a of the EU Environment, Since being elected to the range of engines from construction Public Health and Food in 2014 I’ve machinery to train locomotives. Safety Committee focused on tackling the greatest public health crisis that currently In post-Brexit Britain, there is Before June’s vote, the faces the UK, air pollution. absolutely no guarantee that environmental case for these laws will still be in place. Britain remaining a member SERA members will be well versed of the European Union had in the deleterious consequences If Britain opted for EEA (European been overwhelming. of toxic air on the environment Economic Area) membership and and people’s health. 50,000 lives received full access to the single Once decried as the ‘Dirty Man of lost prematurely every year, a 14 market, we would have to accept Europe’, our membership of the per cent higher chance of dying a large body of existing EU laws, European Union has consistently early if you live in a polluted area. including those that regulate air driven up environmental pollution. But it would also have to standards and given our country They will also be aware that the accept free movement of people, a vastly cleaner bill of health. vast majority of rules that regulate continue to pay a significant the levels of toxins in the air we amount into the EU budget, and The EU has guaranteed laws that breathe are formed at EU level. accept future laws without any protect our natural environment say over their composition. and wildlife. It has entrenched The Ambient Air Quality Directive European cooperation and sets standards for reducing local The other most likely alternative prevents a race to the bottom concentrations of fine particles. is a bilateral trade deal between on environmental standards on The recently passed revision of the the UK and EU. Such a deal would traded products such as cars. It National Emissions Ceiling Directive, make environmental laws, including has extended Britain’s influence, very close to my heart after a those covering air pollution, subject giving us greater clout on the protracted two-year negotiation to negotiation. Under the current global stage and providing direct with EU Member States, forces government, environmental projects means to affect the policies of governments to meet national would be a long way down the our European neighbours.

15. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice VIEWS

Brexit has steered us into uncertain waters, creating far more questions than it has answers

list of priorities and not seen as The inconvenient truth for they should be - as a precursor those who sought to argue the to growth, not a hindrance. environmental benefits of a Britain 2 0 1 6 v outside the EU, is that air pollution i e In any event, once the UK formally has an unfortunate habit of not w s leaves the EU, it will cease to respecting borders: over one-third view from be bound by EU law. The 1972 of the UK’s air pollution is blown in European Communities Act, from across the English Channel. EUROPE which implements EU Directives and gives direct effect to EU Cross-border co-operation and law in the UK, would need to common laws across European be repealed and all legislation countries will be crucial, whether passed under it would immediately Britain is part of the EU or not. face an uncertain future. Any new regulation in the UK must reflect this reality. The state of existing domestic legislation regulating air pollution The launch of SERA’s ‘A Breath of is woefully inadequate. The Fresh Air’ campaign is timely. In Environment Act 1995 and the difficult circumstances the time Air Quality (England) regulations has come to build support for 2015 are much weaker than their a new British Clean Air Act. European counterparts and lack any legally binding limits which would We need to encourage research, force the government to act. focus political minds, and secure key policy changes that give local Furthermore, both pieces councils the powers they need, of legislation place the main but also ensures we do not enter responsibility of meeting these into a race to the bottom with objectives with cash-strapped local our European neighbours. authorities, who lack both the financial muscle and political power Brexit has steered us into uncertain to make a significant impact. waters, creating far more questions than it has answers. We must do all Seb Dance MEP, member That’s why a rearguard action we can to provide the right response of the EU Environment to protect the environmental to save the UK’s environment. protections we currently enjoy is so crucial.

16. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice VIEWS Scottish

0 1 6 v i e sustainable 2 w s view from development SCOTLAND Claudia Beamish MSP

Claudia Beamish MSP adopted it as CommunityLinksPlus, The first debate I led was a Scottish Scottish Labour Climate and the first winner is Glasgow Labour victory as our motion to Change Environment and City Council. Their South City introduce a fracking ban in Scotland Land Reform spokesperson Way route connects a challenged was agreed by the parliament. outlines the post Brexit residential part of the city to its Our principal argument was that view from Scotland very heart – an example that can it is unacceptable to start to inspire real culture change. extract unconventional gas as a At the Paris Climate Summit, the transition fuel, though there are determination by community There are even more opportunities many other arguments against it. climate activists from across the to work in a cross party way on globe was palpable. This inspired long term issues now that the I am also exploring ways to develop me to make a short video with SNP is a minority government. robust Just Transition policies interviews from Scottish cyclists, to a which will ensure workers and community worker from El Salvador. At a strategic level, however, it is communities are not left behind shocking that one of Theresa May’s in the shift to the low carbon In order to meet the 1.5 degree first actions as Prime Minister was economy. We must have a detailed, commitment, it is essential that to abolish DECC. This, on top of the long term industrial strategy and community groups are supported deplorable lack of vision by the Tory skills development for oil and gas, in changing culture and lifestyles Government in suddenly cutting a construction and transport workers, as we shift to the low carbon range of renewables feed-in-tariffs, as well as farmers and fishermen. economy, bringing better choices has contributed to a serious lack for people in energy, transport and of confidence within the sector. The core of our way forward is housing. We are supportive of a new sustainable development. Scottish Sustainable Energy Centre, The utter unpredictability of politics as a catalyst to create synergies was shown by May’s Review of There is a wide range of bills in this in research and development and Hinkley Point. After years of arguing, new parliament. Scottish Labour commercialisation in all these sectors. from a SERA Scotland perspective, had a manifesto commitment to a that nuclear power is not the future Warm Homes Bill, which the SNP Here in Scotland, cross party working - not least as waste issues can never came late to. I am determined can be effective. Shifting people’s be truly solved - I hope there will that a properly funded energy habits to active travel is hampered be a political consensus on this. infrastructure project will feature, by a range of challenges. The idea making a significant impact on fuel for an award for a competition for Here in Scotland, this is the first time poverty, including in rural Scotland. Local Authorities, which I developed, the Scottish Government has made There will also be a Climate Change was adopted first by the Cross Party Climate Change and Environment a Bill, a Circular Economy Bill, and a Group for Cycling, and then taken Cabinet post, appointing Roseanna Transport Bill: we will ensure there to the Transport Minister only a Cunningham MSP. In my new are amendments to all of these to year ago. The Scottish Government role I will be shadowing her. strengthen and ensure social justice. 17. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice VIEWS robust will the Scottish Government be in continuing to implement those Regulation will also be key, as will You can see Claudia’s video here bold EU initiatives where infraction https://www.youtube.com/ facilitation of co-operative and has been a risk - such as air pollution, watch?v=qRI7ClddHUI community ownership models. or where the challenges have been great such as Marine Protected Our portfolio includes responsibility Areas, and biodiversity targets? for land reform, which Shadow Minister David Stewart will be I am clear that once we arrive at taking a lead on. Sarah Boyack and a Brexit deal, it is only right that I worked on strengthening the bill there is a chance to endorse it or for communities as it went through otherwise in a General election the last session up to the wire. or second Referendum. With Remain winning in Scotland I will She is really missed for her be strongly arguing this case. experience and acumen after 17 years in the Scottish Parliament. Finally, Local Authority elections are a chance to ensure we The developing Brexit picture is a commit to robust action in our nightmare, from my perspective. Manifestos, so that Labour running Claudia Beamish MSP SERA Scotland held an event prior local councils lead action to Scottish Labour Climate to the vote. The identification of develop energy models that bring Change Environment and how to protect Scotland and her district heating, and many more Land Reform spokesperson waters is now the imperative. How opportunities, to our communities.

v i e w 1 6 s 0 2 The key to 21st Century view from environmentalism: australia a view from down under

Felicity Wade

Felicity Wade of Labor’s Labor’s environment policy was the electricity sector, closure of coal Environment Action strongest and most comprehensive fired power stations and federal Network - SERA’s ever offered by a major political intervention to halt land clearing. sister organisation party. Its headlines were about in Australia - writes climate action, including the But equally impressive was the on the recent Federal commitment to shift to 50 per cent commitment to revisit our entire Election and the ALP’s renewable energy by 2030 and federal environment legal framework environmental platform achieve credible carbon emission and the institutions supporting reductions over coming decades. it. With the business community A return to a strong environmental complaining about the current laws platform was a key part This is a once-in-a- and their bureaucratic demands, of Labor’s recent election generation reform and the continuing plummeting campaign in Australia – and it of all Australia’s environmental saw the ALP make some big Labor outlined the pathway to indicators, it seems fair to gains across the country. these goals, including reform of the conclude the regime is failing. 18. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice view from VIEWS australia

Most Australians would like Labor’s task over the an economic and environmental assurance federal environment laws next years is to stick imperative and a key driver of our can stop kookaburras, magpies and with its return to form. economy. It is currently dominated other wild creatures disappearing by monopolistic corporations with from our experience. Labor promised By reclaiming environmental many of its assets having been gifted to go back to first principles and heritage alongside the egalitarian to the private sector by successive consider a system that works frame, Labor stepped back into the governments, including Labor ones. better not only for developers but realm of the party which created also for the natural assets which the great coalition of progressive All of this must be delivered the laws are charged to protect. forces that changed Australia while protecting consumers under Whitlam and Hawke. from price hikes. Other highlights included a doubling of funding for Indigenous Rangers, But there has been much territory Reform also offers the possibility the most successful indigenous lost. Polling shows the electorate of reinvigorating high-end employment program that not only sees very little difference between manufacturing, refocusing our provides culturally appropriate the two major parties in terms international competitiveness, work but impressive biodiversity of trustworthiness to protect the decentralising control and outcomes, and progressing World environment. The uncertainty democratising ownership. All of this Heritage listing for Cape , West of Labor during the Rudd- must be delivered while protecting Kimberley and the Aboriginal cultural Gillard years on climate policy consumers from price hikes. connections in the Daintree. The marked it as a tactical issue, not $500 billion earmarked for the Great a conviction issue for the party. What a great place to continue Barrier Reef will define and build what Bill Shorten has begun and a proper path for arresting the Labor’s task over the next years reimagine the Labor mission of a degradation of that system and is to stick with its return to form. safe, exciting and fair Australia. greater regulation for unconventional We have to continue to entrench gas will provide assurances to the this 21st century priority into the public about this untested industry. heart of our broader historic mission. The imperatives of climate action Consistently when asked what provide the perfect context for this. Labor represented, Bill Shorten would include “real climate action” Unlike the 80s when saving and 50 per cent renewable energy environmental icons like the Daintree by 2030 in his headline list of five or Antarctica were worthy but key priorities, alongside jobs, isolated pursuits, climate change Medicare and education. This reaches beyond environment was a great return to form. into all aspects of government and the economy. As Labor more Earlier this month, on the death of confidently imagines and articulates former French prime minister Michel an agenda for a more equitable, Rocard, former PM Bob Hawke less madly market-driven society, recounted to the Sydney Morning the climate imperative of retooling Herald how the two leaders jointly our energy sector provides the campaigned to convince the world perfect opportunity for Labor to ban mining in Antarctica. In the to deliver a 21st century social Felicity Wade of Labor’s 80s, fighting for environmental gains democratic, nation-changing reform. was the stuff on which Labor spent Environment Action political capital not only at home The decarbonisation of our Network, SERA’s sister but on the international stage. It energy sector has many of the key organisation in Australia required commitment, courage economic debates of the last 20 and sass. This is Labor at its best. years at its heart. First, it is big: 19. SERA Campaigning for environmental change & social justice Join us and Green horizons Check the conference app help make a or our website difference sera.org.uk The SERA Rally for the final line up and follow us www.sera.org.uk Join Labour’s environment campaign at on Twitter and @serauk our flagship event, to hear five minute Facebook visions for a brighter greener Britain serauk

Monday 26 September 18:00 to 19:30 Kindly Room 11A, ACC Liverpool, Kings Dock, supported by Calor Gas Liverpool Waterfront

Speakers Daniel Zeichner MP, Claudia Beamish MSP, Shadow Transport Minister Shadow Minister for Environment (rally format with & Climate Change 5 min speeches) Lisa Nandy MP, former Shadow DECC Secretary Cllr Tudor Evans, Opposition Leader Plymouth City Council Marvin Rees, elected Mayor of Bristol Caroline Flint MP, former Shadow DECC Secretary Paul Nowak, Deputy TUC General Secretary Siôn Simon MEP, West Midlands Mayoral Candidate Kerry McCarthy MP, former Shadow DEFRA Secretary Paul Blacklock, Head of Strategy and Corporate MP, Chair Environment Audit Committee Seb Dance MEP, Affairs Calor Gas Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee member Rachael Maskell MP, Chaired by Jake Sumner Shadow DEFRA and Melanie Smallman Theresa Griffin MEP, SERA Co-Chairs spokesperson on energy

Growth, homes and greenery: Sustainability Hub the fight for the floodplains Reception with SERA

Monday 26 September 12:30 to 14:00 Monday 26 September 20:00 to 21:30 The Quaker Meeting House, Room 11A, ACC Liverpool, 22 School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BT Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront (near Liverpool Central Station)

Kindly supported by the Kindly sponsored by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Environmental Services Association Joint event with Labour: Coast & Country Speakers: MP, Shadow Minister for Energy & Climate Change Speakers: Jacob Hayler, Mary Creagh MP, Chair Executive Director, Environmental Audit Committee Environmental Services Association Richard Benwell, Cllr Lucinda Yeadon, Head of Government Introductory words: Deputy Leader Leeds City Affairs Wildfowl & Leonie Cooper AM, Council and Exec Member for Wetlands Trust. Chair London Assembly Environment & Sustainability Environment Committee & SERA Chaired by Polly Executive Member and Liz Hutchins, Senior Billington, SERA Melanie Smallman, Campaigner Friends of the Earth Executive Member SERA Co-Chair