Chris Huhne

Eastleigh residents push the boat out for Chris Huhne MP ahead of UN climate talks

Eastleigh residents deliver boat to Chris Huhne MP

On Friday 25th November, Chris Huhne MP for Eastleigh and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change visited the Oxfam shop in High Street, Eastleigh to accept a large, perspex boat filled with messages from Eastleigh residents. The messages called for Mr Huhne to use his influence at the UN Climate Change Conference, which opens today in Durban, South Africa.

At the 2010 conference, World Leaders agreed to establish a Green Climate Fund to help poor countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. But the fund is still not operational and governments have not confirmed how they will contribute. Oxfam is calling on Mr Huhne to support long-term, innovative ways for raising money that don’t put the squeeze on tax-payers, such as levies on international shipping, aviation and a Robin Hood Tax on the banking sector, which all have the potential to raise billions of pounds.

Mr Huhne said, “It has never been more important for governments to agree collective action to tackle climate change, and I’m delighted Oxfam in Eastleigh are backing this. There has been some progress on governments committing to emission reductions – here in the UK we have set legally binding limits to cut our emissions by 50% based on 1990 levels, by 2025. It is vital that more countries follow the UK’s lead and pledge to reduce their own emissions.”

Felicity Gibbons, Manager of the Oxfam shop said “The boat has been displayed in our shop for customers to include their messages and It has been heartening to see how many people wanted to lend their support. Climate change is already devastating people’s lives and it’s so important for everyone to play their part in tackling this issue. Although extreme weather is affecting us all, it’s the people in poor countries who are being affected first and worst”.