environment – Page 16 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Durham asks about education on nature and biodiversity

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 7th June 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked her Majesty’s government, further to the report commissioned by the Treasury The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review, published on 2 February, what steps they are taking to ensure that all children understand how nature contributes to the UK economy.

Baroness Berridge (Con, DfE): The department is currently working with Her Majesty’s Treasury to contribute to a full response to the Dasgupta Review.

Bishop of Blackburn asks about energy saving for schools and heritage buildings

On 25th May 2021 the Bishop of Blackburn asked a question about finding energy saving solutions for historic and educational buildings.

The Lord Bishop of Blackburn: My Lords, I am grateful for the Question and the Minister’s response. My question is about the outcome for the many heritage buildings and schools in this country, where the challenge is often the greatest. Will the Government do anything to make them part of the solution rather than the problem?

Queen’s Speech – Bishop of Bristol on climate and environment

On 17th May 2021 the Bishop of Bristol spoke during the third day of debate in the House of Lords on the Queen’s Speech. She focused on the environment and the Government’s Environment Bill.

“My Lords, along with others in this House, I welcome the speeches of the noble Lords, Lord Coaker and Lord Morse. I remember making my own maiden speech in the debate on the Humble Address in 2019, though of course in rather different circumstances. When I gave that speech, we were looking ahead to 2020 as the year of climate action. Instead, the impact of Covid-19 has understandably been the focus of global activity. However, the situation for our planet is becoming more urgent, not less. With another year of action now lost because of Covid-19, we need meaningful global, national and local agreements on the climate and biodiversity issues more than ever before.

Votes: Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021

On 18th March 2021, the House of Lords voted on a regret motion to the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021. A Bishop took part in the vote:

Bishop of Winchester asks about support for community efforts to cut carbon emissions

The Bishop of Winchester asked a question on support for communities to reduce carbon emissions on 16th March 2021, during a discussion on the Climate Change Committee’s Carbon Budget Report.

The Lord Bishop of Winchester [V]: My Lords, at local and national levels, in communities across the country, the Church of England is committed to reducing net carbon emissions to zero by 2030. Can the Minister say a bit more about the plans Her Majesty’s Government have to offer practical support for local communities already committed to transformation, using new, low-carbon technologies to achieve net-zero emissions?

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Land, Religious Freedom, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Remote Education

On 11th March 2021, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, gave the following written answers to questions from an MP:

Church Land

Jim Shannon MP (DUP, Strangford): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the church is taking to provide affordable, sustainable and beautiful housing on land it owns.

Bishop of St Albans asks about management of surplus water and flood risks

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 22nd February 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that farmers involved in the Environmental Land Management Scheme are adequately compensated for the impact of introducing nature-based solutions on future flood risk on their land.

Bishop of Coventry asks about voices of UK Overseas Territories at COP 26

The Bishop of Coventry asked a question on ensuring representation of voices from UK Overseas Territories at COP 26 on 9th February 2021, following a discussion on the preparedness of these territories for humanitarian and disaster relief operations:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, climate change is the context in which this conversation is happening. Given the marine diversity and repository of so much of the world’s biodiversity in the overseas territories, how will the Government ensure that the voices of the overseas territories will be amplified in the forthcoming COP 26 summit?

Bishop of St Albans asks about risks posed by genetically modified food

The Bishop of St Albans tabled a question on potential risks associated with genetically modified food production in the UK on 8th February 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans [V]: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential (1) health, and (2) environmental, risks associated with approving genetically modified food production in the United Kingdom.

Bishop of Salisbury asks about investment in renewable energy

The Bishop of Salisbury asked a question on research and investment in renewable energy on 3rd February 2021, during a discussion on the impact of electricity delays on the UK energy supply:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury [V]: My Lords, the price of electricity from Hinkley is remaining unchanged at £92.50 per megawatt hour, and EDF is expecting the same profit of more than 7.1% on its investment. Given that, can the Minister explain the points that she has just made about how the additional 30% of construction costs on the initial £18 billion budget is being absorbed at no cost to consumers? As the price of electricity from renewables has dropped—with wind now at £40 per megawatt hour—might not research and development into renewals have been a better investment? Hinkley already looks like transitional technology.

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