Issue one 2007 MEPs in action For peace, social justice and the environment FREE Radical rethink over UK’s hot4houses ‘Without a radical rethink over the UK’s housing emissions we will fail to meet targets and combat climate change,’ Green MEP Jean Lambert has warned in her new report Hothouses . Concerns about climate change about 30% of our carbon emissions how it will be implemented for the cannot ignore housing whilst – but this could be reduced if the rental sector. energy use in the home, otherwise right energy saving policies are One of the 27 recommendations known as the ‘domestic sector,’ applied. The mechanisms in place to made in Jean Lambert’s new report amounts to about 30% of the UK’s increase insulation and other forms Hothouses – climate change and carbon emissions. of domestic energy savings however London’s housing is to ensure the Jean, who is Green MEP for are simply not fit for the purpose and public can access consistent London where emissions from the will not make the required impact. information, funding and advice on domestic sector amount to 37%, “There is a lack of co-ordination energy efficiency through ‘one- higher than levels from transport because government departments stop shops’. and the greatest level of any and other agencies are delivering a Jean continued: “If we deal with English region, said that range of schemes and working to energy inefficient homes through Government policies and initiatives different standards. extensive insulation programmes we to reduce such emissions were “What we need to see are higher can also combat fuel poverty, which simply not robust enough. targets and increased funding has doubled since 2003, and increase Although positive action is being for Decent Homes, Warm Front the chance of meeting the taken to ensure that new build and other Government run Governments target of eliminating standards are improved there is a schemes as well as grants, fuel poverty by 2010. By making need to address energy use in the interest free loans, tax breaks and homes both comfortable and capital’s 3.1million homes built reductions on DIY insulation sustainable we can tackle climate before 1995 – over 97% of all materials.” change and meet a social need. London’s housing. 10 million UK This summer the EU Energy “The urgency demanded by the homes are still in need of cavity Performance of Buildings Directive threat of climate change and the wall insulation so it is vital that comes into force in the UK. It has problem of fuel poverty however provisions to improve current the potential to reduce emissions requires a greater and more focussed housing stock are put in place. by requiring that all homes, private commitment to drive this agenda Calling on the UK Government or rented, are to be given an energy forward.” for more joined up thinking and rating similar to that of fridges and For a copy of Hothouses please leadership to apply best practice other white goods. visit www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk from elsewhere in the EU, Jean HOTHOUSES: Jean was joined by Green However the Directive is still not and download a PDF version or call Lambert said; “Energy use in and by Islington Cllr Katie Dawson in her call for a fully transposed into UK law, and 020 7407 6269 for the published homes across the UK account for 'radical rethink' over the UK’s Hothouses. the Government is unclear about report. cause a breach of the peace – sitting diversion from the world’s real down in a road or stockpiling 300 security needs; tackling climate GREEN MEPS JOIN ANTI- nuclear warheads, each with a change, access to clean water, destructive capacity eight times widespread illness and disease. TRIDENT BLOCKADE greater that the bomb which killed “How can the UK warn other 200,000 in Hiroshima?” countries against nuclear weapons Green MEPs Jean Lambert and Caroline Lucas joined the Faslane 365 Jean Lambert MEP warned that whilst we continue on this path of blockade of Britain’s ‘Trident’ nuclear submarine base in Scotland as part replacing Trident would be illegal, destruction ourselves? On the of a continuous, year long demonstration calling for the arsenal of unnecessary and a catastrophe for grounds of legality, diplomacy and nuclear weapons of mass destruction to be disarmed. our future and said that the politics such double standards are Government’s plan to spend not acceptable.” Caroline Lucas, who is a co- arrested at the peaceful billions of pounds renewing the Caroline added: “There simply is founder and Co-President of the demonstration for breaching the nuclear weapons system no legal, moral, military or economic European Parliament’s cross-party peace after she sat in the road, demonstrated a lack of concern for case for the Government to replace peace initiative group of MEPs and blocking the entrance. the immediate problems the world Trident. If there are billions to spend member of the Campaign of Shortly after her arrest Caroline faces today. She commented; on protecting security the Nuclear Disarmament’s decision- commented; “This irony is “Trident and the continued debate TRIDENT BLOCKADE: Caroline was arrested Government shouldn’t gamble it on making National Council, was extraordinary! What’s more likely to over nuclear weapons is a total for breaching the peace chasing Cold War shadows.” Caroline Lucas MEP South East Jean Lambert MEP London EU4U! brings the European Parliament to life Three young Londoners brought the European Parliament to life at the end of 2006 when they filmed the new educational DVD from Green MEP Jean Lambert, EU4U! Your voice can make a difference! The young people making the subjects from ‘Human rights and film, Hanad Abdilleh, Thomas the responsibilities of the state’ to Demmer and Noureddine Touak, all ‘What is social inclusion?’, made an students at Newham Sixth Form excellent discussion tool for College, East London, received teachers and their classes as well as training and work experience as a a starting point for those who wish FILM STARS: Jean is joined by the stars of EU4U! at the premiere professional film crew, both in to know more about Jean’s work. the UK and Brussels, supervised Jean commented; “Made up of representatives can take these Jean concluded; “Following the by film makers Redcurrent 785 members (MEPs), all of whom forward. By working together and success of EU4U! I have now Films . have been elected by over 400 listening to the next generation we commissioned Capacity Global to The DVD explores the links million voters across the 27 member can make the positive changes we all undertake a research project in four between the immediate states, the European Parliament need for a better future.” European cities addressing youth environment and the young impacts on our lives in more ways Speaking after the filming of policies, their own environment and film crews own quality of than we often realise. It can however EU4U! all three of the young film their sense of belonging. I look life. Building on findings be extremely difficult for young producers were enthusiastic about forward to the results next year.” from previous research undertaken people to understand how the the process and their experience Copies of the DVD have now been by Jean, which looked at young Parliament works let alone how they throughout the filming. circulated widely to schools and With the European Parliament people’s attitudes towards their can use it to get their voice heard Noureddine Touak, 18 years old, youth groups across London and seemingly so far away Jean environment, the new film shows and make a difference back here in said; “It has been a great experience the rest of the UK. Lambert knows it can be difficult how she is bringing these results in the UK. that made me feel special and To receive a free copy of the DVD for young people to understand to the policy process in the “As a starting point for the DVD we focused my mind.” EU4U! Your voice can make a how they can make their view European Parliament. took ideas that had come from Teachers at the College also difference! please contact Jean heard and commissioned the film Jean, who was a teacher in previous work I had completed with noted an improvement in the three Lambert’s office by telephone: to help develop such London herself before becoming an another group of young people and students work and involvement in 020 7407 6269 or email understanding. MEP, said the DVD, which addresses demonstrated how elected the class following the project. [email protected] EU DELAY ON SEAL FUR BAN WILL MEAN 200,000 DEATHS DELAYS to a ban on the import of proposals to stop the slaughter, and waste EU taxpayers’ cash. seal fur will mean over 200,000 it is completely unacceptable that She added: “We don’t need seals are needlessly butchered, the EU Commission is seeking to another study into the methods by Caroline has warned and delay their implementation. which hunters kill seals. There is a demanded an immediate “We need action to halt the hunt large body of evidence, including As Euro MPs we continue to do everything we can to promote moratorium on the trade. now, in line with the Commission’s film footage, showing the true the Green agenda and work towards peace, justice and The Green Party MEP, whose own previously stated commit- horrors of the seal hunt.” sustainability across the UK and Europe. Two issues that are proposals to ban the trade last year ments, before it is too late for Last year a Written Declaration high on our agenda at the moment are the desperate need to attracted record cross-party another generation of seals.” calling for the ban on the import of support from MEPs in the European The MEP, who is also a Vice seal products into the EU proposed tackle climate change through Government action to provide a Parliament, said: “The suffering for President of the RSPCA, made her by Dr Lucas broke all records for framework in which people can cut the greenhouse gases they seals will be immense in this year’s comments after it emerged that parliamentary support, attracting emit, and the violence and violation of our human rights that hunt.